And Only to Deceive

And Only to Deceive (2005) Tasha Alexander

Set in England (and Paris) ~1889

The first time I read this book (soon after its publication) I didn’t like it. I felt it was more romance than mystery, and I wasn’t interested in reading a kissing book.

Upon later reading, knowing what I was going to be reading, I enjoyed it much more, and the mystery was much better than I had remembered.

So after finishing the 2nd Lady Darby mystery, I wanted more historical mysteries, so I came back to this.

Lady Emily was widowed soon after her marriage, and so had to go into deep mourning for a man she barely knew. But for a woman, widowhood was also a freedom–she was no longer subject to her family but instead could make her own decisions–within reason however, if she wanted to remain in the good graces of society.

Why would this be a good situation for a woman?

From the day the queen kissed me during my presentation at court in Buckingham Palace, I heard from Mother constant reminders that my looks would soon fade, and she admonished me to do my best to catch a husband immediately.

“No one questions Philip’s excellent character. I only ask that you remember he is dead.”

“I know that quite well,” I said sharply.

“I think it’s what makes him so appealing to you. After all, he’s not here to tell you to keep within the confines of good society.”

“Well, that certainly doesn’t hurt,” I admitted, my good temper slowly returning.

“Emily, what Americans consider acceptable is often questionable at best. Miss Seward’s influence on you is distressing. She is taking you down a path that can lead to no good. You have been attending lectures, child. Have you lost all sense of decorum?”

My goodness! Attending LECTURES of all things!

But I think that Emily’s relationship with her mother is a good reminder of precisely how society constrained a woman.
Rating: 7.5/10

Published by HarperCollins

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