"A Remarkable Conclusion to the Malloren Series"

While I loved all the Malloren tales, Rothgar's story ran as a thread throughout the saga, for he is the backbone of this family. I opened this book with great anticipation and much trepidation. Jo's excellent track record not withstanding, there is always the potential for great disappointment when one has had to wait so long for a much desired story. Had Diana had to win Rothgar's love, or had he discovered after great peril that he couldn't live without her, I would have been sorely disappointed. Mallorens choose, they can't be won, and once having chosen they are as constant as the sun. However the two acknowledged their feelings from the start. The battle is within Rothgar himself to conquer his demons (as it should have been). I found myself saying "exactly" repeatedly. I also loved that Rothgar has finally become Bey, an approachable human man with frailties like every other human being, though it doesn't by any means diminish him as the "eminence noire". Brilliantly handled, if ever I doubted for a minute that the characters talk to Jo, I will not make that mistake twice!

Someone wants Rothgar dead. An uneasy peace hangs between the British and the French. Bey finds himself a part of a contrived duel to avenge an insult to Chastity Malloren (Cyn's wife). Bey and Bryght suspect the expert duelist is in league with the French who would benefit by putting him out of commission, for the Marquess has the ear of the king in these matters. His advice does not coincide with their plans in the least. Having dispatched the offender, the family prepares to attend the wedding of Brand and Rosa in Yorkshire where Rothgar is once more brought into the sphere of the Countess Arradale, Diana.

No fool, Rothgar has acknowledged his attraction to the countess, but as he has firm intentions never to marry (due to his mother's madness), he has wisely limited his stay to three days. Diana for her part is just as determined to remain free of entanglements, though she is just as intrigued by the enigmatic Marquess. A missive from the king, commanding Rothgar to escort Diana to court, thwarts their good intentions. The very thing that makes Diana Bey's equal has won her disfavor with the king. In the unique position of being a female peer of the realm she has petitioned the king for the right to hold her seat Parliament. This has alerted the king to her "unnatural" leanings and he is determined to wed her to someone who will keep her in line.

Bey advises Diana to act the proper young lady for fear she will be thought mad if she expresses her true nature, but promises to support her to the extent of offering marriage, in name only, if the situation becomes untenable. By now Diana is aware that her feelings for Bey run deep and is certain they are reciprocated. She agrees to follow his advice, for though a true marriage to the man would be heaven; a marriage in which they would lead separate lives would truly be hell.

Those good intentions are thwarted as well as the plot continues to remove Rothgar from the king's sphere. They are attacked along the road. The attack is not unexpected, however the situation requires Diana to use her considerable skill with pistols to save the life of her beloved. Shaken by the encounter the two drop their guard and celebrate life in a time-honored manner. The armor cracks a bit more.

It had seemed that the king had accepted the Marquess's determination never to marry, but once Diana arrives at court she is plied with unacceptable suitors and it becomes obvious that the king wishes a match between Diana and Bey. The king has put a deadline on her choice of mate. She must choose immediately following a masquerade thrown by the Marquess. Should she fail to choose the king would choose for her. Diana does her best to ensure that Bey is not ensnared in the trap, but she relishes his visits and he cannot seem to stay away. To deflect attention she inadvertently over encourages one of her suitors who unwittingly becomes caught up in the plot to eliminate Rothgar. She is kidnapped. Bey barely rescues her in time. Another chink in the armor.

It has become apparent to Bey that he can not let Diana go to another, but an incident at the Queen's house reinforces his fears about his suitability to father the next heir to the Malloren line.

The plot shifts to his internal struggle. He retreats into himself and as the masquerade begins his family is greatly worried for him. Will this man of power and courage find the strength to let his heart rule his head? As the event begins Diana searches the room for him, but he finds her. It appears as if all that is well will end well, but it is too much to ask that the French will not make a move this night. Will love make the Marquess vulnerable or strong? Will Bey's strong protective streak cost the pair their hard fought happiness or will Diana risk all to defend her beloved?

This was a marvelous ending to Rothgar's story but hopefully not the last we see of the Mallorens. Young Victor Ware (brother of Fort, Verity, and Chastity) is due to arrive home from his Grand Tour. Dare we hope he will be hero material? It would be lovely to get a glimpse of the happy Mallorens down the road apiece particularly if the Marquess becomes a doting father. I have no doubt it will be so, for he did a remarkable job of raising his siblings after all. I'd dearly love to see Fort in the role of the mentor (he is my other favorite). Either way, it was a true delight to find at last that Rothgar has found the love he so richly deserved and with a woman who deserved him. "The gods were indeed exceedingly kind!"

Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch Copyright © 2000

Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Courtesy PNR Reviews
Posted October 22, 2001