From Publishers Weekly
In this lively new offering by a veteran writer of historical romance, sheltered heiress Charlotte Comyn flees a marriage proposal, a nervous stomach and misunderstandings with her parents. Disguised in her brother's clothes, she appears at the London home of her mother's estranged best friend, the famous actress Beth Prior, who, though short on reputation, is long on beauty, talent and brains. With Napoleon at the height of his power, Beth also has a mission: through an intermediary, the English Foreign Secretary has asked the actress to befriend exiled Hapsburg queen Maria Carolina of Naples and convince her to remain allied with Britain. Charlotte accompanies Beth into the roiling political cauldron of Sicily for an escapade of intrigue, excitement and danger that ultimately throws each of these capable, independent women into the appropriate arms as all is happily resolved. Hodge ( Wind over ) works her usual magic as believable characters do plausible things, seamlessly incorporated into the history of their period setting.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Charlotte Comyn, the 17-year-old heir to a banking fortune, rejects the marriage proposal of childhood friend John Thornton and runs away to London. There, Charlotte meets Beth Prior, friend of her mother, actress, and member of the demi-monde. Beth sees Charlotte as the perfect cover for her role as a spy, and the two set off for Palermo, Sicily. In Sicily, the two become embroiled in political intrigue, and Beth begins to question her involvement in British politics. Charlotte and Beth find adventure and romance in Palermo amid the glittering stage lights and hidden agendas of the aristocracy. Hodge captures the soul of an era when women were often the power behind the throne. She breathes life into Charlotte, but it is with Beth that she truly excels. Beth undergoes moral and emotional changes and dominates the novel. Beth Prior is a blend of sleek sophistication and lost chances who will captivate fans of Hodge, both new and old.
Melanie Duncan
