Series:
Lyon's Den (Book 66)
When Dorcas Anderson saves Mrs. Dove-Lyon from being
crushed by a passing dray it sets up a chain a series of events she could not
have imagined. The grateful lady insists on presenting to her rescuer a tinder
box containing three tokens. Each can be exchanged for a favor from The Black
Widow of Whitehall herself.
She needs the first sooner than she expected, when her
dead husband's twin, brother to a powerful duke, has her and her four-year-old
son arrested for theft.
When Mrs. Dove-Lyon asks him to help rescue a wrongfully
arrested widow, Ben, the Earl of Somerford, is glad to aid Mrs. Anderson, whom
he knew and respected when he was with the army in the Peninsula.
Dorcas uses the second token to enlist Mrs. Dove-Lyon in
catching Ben's attention, little knowing that Ben is already wondering if
Dorcas is just the wife he needs.
Ben is too slow to declare his interest. Dorcas's
brothers-in-law threaten, and Mrs. Dove-Lyon may have the answer: Another
marriage, this time to a man powerful enough to stand against a possibly
malevolent duke.
The plan is set. A game of cards will decide the groom.
Can Dorcas use the third token to change the odds? Anything can happen when a
lady is thrown to a Lyon.
Terrific story about Dorcas Anderson, a twice-widowed
mother of a young son. She eloped with her first husband and followed him to
the war, where her husband was killed just before her son was born. His commanding
officer, who was also her husband's twin brother, refused to give her the money
to return to England, leaving her no choice but to marry another soldier for
protection. After he was also killed, she made her way back to London, where she
takes in embroidery to make ends meet.
One day, Dorcas saves Mrs. Dove-Lyon from an accident and
is rewarded with three tokens, each worth a favor from Mrs. Dove-Lyon. The timing
was propitious, as she was shortly thereafter accused of theft by her former
brother-in-law. Dorcas uses her first token to request help, and Mrs. Dove-Lyon
sends Ben, the Earl of Somerfield, to get her out of jail and bring her to the
Lyon's Den for protection. There are some lovely scenes of Dorcas and her son
at the Lyon's Den. I especially enjoyed seeing Mrs. Dove-Lyon's
"wolves" and the third-floor ladies become part of Dorcas's cheering
section.
Ben knew Dorcas from when he was with the army. He
remembers her as kind and honorable. He is happy to help and, in spending time
with her, is reminded how much he admires her. I enjoyed seeing them together
as Ben steps in to help her get the justice she deserves. They begin to develop
feelings for each other, but Dorcas believes that she is not of sufficient
class to hope for marriage. An invitation to the Lyon's Den masque opens her
eyes to possibilities for the future. I loved this part. The description of the
gown Dorcas designed and its effect on the men who attended the ball was very
emotional.
Dorcas and Mrs. Dove-Lyon agree that her best plan to
protect herself and her son is to marry again to a man of sufficient rank to
stand up to her former in-laws. This is where Mrs. Dove-Lyon excels. Ben recognizes
the depth of his feelings for Dorcas, but it is almost too late. I enjoyed
seeing Mrs. Dove-Lyon make Ben work to earn the hand of the lady he loves. The
ending was intense, but we know love will triumph.
There is trouble for Dorcas throughout the book as her
husband's twin brother continues to make trouble for her. Dorcas doesn't know
why he shows such enmity toward her. Ben's determination to ensure her safety
soon uncovers the truth. Ben's protectiveness goes a little too far at one
point, angering Dorcas and possibly opening her up to more trouble. Fortunately,
he learns from his mistakes. I liked the twist during the ceremony and the
resolution of Dorcas's troubles.
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