A Spy’s Devotion
In Book One of the Regency Spies of London Series, Julia Grey has problems. First of all, she is struggling to resist pressure from her ruthless uncle to marry a man she dislikes; secondly, since he is suspected of involvement in a plot to assassinate the Duke of Wellington, she has been asked to spy upon him; thirdly, she is fighting against her growing attraction to Nicholas Langdon, a handsome young officer convalescing from wounds received in the Peninsular War. Since neither has much money, they cannot afford to wed.
Though less spirited than many recent Regency heroines, Julia firmly believes in abiding by society’s rules and doing her duty, and amidst her tribulations, she finds comfort in her faith. The strength of the novel lies in its realistic recognition of the vulnerability of young women in a society with double standards of behavior, one which places power in the hands of men, whether relatives of orphaned children or predatory employers of governesses.
This rather earnest and didactic story will appeal mainly to readers of inspirational novels.
