The Lyon's Gambit - Ruth A. Casie (Dragonblade Pub - May 2024)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 56)
 
In a world bound by rules, love becomes the ultimate gambit.
 
In the glittering world of London, where society dictates everything, Nathaniel, Marquess of St. John, learned the hard way that playing by those rules doesn't always guarantee a happy ending. Jilted by a woman chosen for him by his father, Nathaniel swore off marriage and embraced the life of a steadfast bachelor.
 
Louise Hartfield is a talented seamstress with a disdain for the ton's rigid expectations. Trapped by her mother's antiquated insistence that as the elder daughter she must wed before her younger sister, Louise scoffs at the idea of conforming to such a preposterous rule.
 
When Nathaniel and his friends bet on whether love can transcend class, they turn to Mrs. Dove-Lyon, whose Lyon’s Den hosts their daring experiment. As Nathaniel and Louise navigate society’s expectations, they find themselves drawn together in a quest for true love.
 
Will they defy tradition or succumb to its demands? In this high-stakes gamble for love, who will emerge victorious?
 
Good book with an unusual premise. Nathaniel, Marquess of St. John, believes that people can connect honestly if they can meet without class expectations. He had a bad experience from following society's rules and is determined to do things his own way. His friends aren't convinced that a successful relationship is possible outside society's boundaries. They bet on whether it can be done.
 
Nathaniel is a family connection of Mrs. Dove-Lyon and asks her for help setting up the experiment. She recruits Louise, a seamstress who works with the modiste she uses. Louise also has no use for most of society's rules. Her old-fashioned mother insists that Louise marry before her younger sister, something she has no interest in doing. Louise is intrigued by the experiment and agrees to participate. Neither she nor Nathaniel know anything about the other's background.
 
I enjoyed the experiment's process. Nathaniel and Louise were paired for four challenges to see how they interacted with others who had no idea who they were. The situations were interesting. I especially enjoyed the gallery visit and seeing how Nathaniel and Louise interpreted the various pieces of art. They were very compatible in attitudes and personality, and feelings didn't take long to develop between them.
 
Though neither knows the other's social status, Louise suspects Nathaniel is well above her, so she doesn't allow herself to hope for anything more than friendship. On the other hand, Nathaniel knows how he feels about Louise and will let nothing come between them. I loved seeing confidence in their love overcome fears despite knowing the challenges that face them. Things become complicated when a woman from Nathaniel's past appears and makes her intentions known. Assistance comes from a surprising source, and that scene made me laugh out loud. The ending was terrific. I hope to see Nathaniel and Louise appear in future books.
 
I liked Nathaniel's cousin Richard and would love to see him get his own story. I also like Louise's sister, Christina. I think it would be fun to see a match between them.