A Rogue by Any Other Name

A Rogue by Any Other Name (2012) Sarah MacLean

Set in England in 1831.

Lord Michael Bourne lost everything on a single card. After his complete downfall, he and three others rose from the ashes of their past to run one of the most successful gaming hells in London, the Fallen Angel. But what Bourne wants more than anything is the return of his lost lands, and revenge against his former guardian, who destroyed him.

Lady Penelope Marbury has been on the shelf after a broken engagement. Her father has to increase her dowry in a effort to get her married, and so that her younger sisters can also make good matches.

I find this story aggravating.

I get that they were childhood friends and Penelope had been in love with Michael for years, but he really is a shit, and treats her quite badly–although not physically.

But his ability to turn the charm on and off is distressing.

As always, I appreciate the reminder that for well-born women, wealth meant nothing, as they were the chattel of their fathers and then husbands.

“Need I remind you that I have never, ever had a choice in the direction of my life? That everything I do, everything I am, has been in service to others?”

“That is your fault, Penelope. Not ours. You could have refused. No one was threatening your life.”

“Of course they were!” she exploded. “They were threatening my safety, my security, my future.

Publisher:
Rating: 7/10

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