The Emperor’s Conspiracy

The Emperor’s Conspiracy (2012) Michelle Diener (Regency London)

Set in London in 1811.

Charlotte Raven was rescued as a child, and although she leads a somewhat unorthodox life, she tries very hard to be the perfect lady for Lady Howe, who saved he from the stews.

This always surprised her, Catherine’s willful habit of seeing her as a well-brought-up lady of the ton. A woman who would have fainted dead away after a conversation such as she’d just had with Tavenam. A woman who needed a chaperone. Despite herself, she smiled.

“Stop that.” Catherine drew her farther away from the dance floor.

“Stop what?”

“That pitying way you have of looking at me, when you think I’m being foolish in protecting you. You deserve the same respect and protection as every other woman here. Never forget that.”

And Lady Howe is worth every single ounce of Charlotte’s love and respect.

Because of her past, when Charlotte realized that something awful is about to happen to Lady Holliday, she takes a chance in exposing herself, to warn Emma. And that starts of a chain of events that no one could have expected.

Edward, Lord Durnham, is Emma’s brother, and quickly discovers that Miss Raven is not the usual miss, and that he owes both Emma and Miss Raven an apology for his words and actions.

(W)hy is she staying with Miss Raven and not you?”

Edward laughed. “Apparently I’ll figure it out eventually.”

Dervish gave him a strange look. “Told her you told her so, did you?”

Edward was about to give an indignant denial, and stopped, mouth half open like a fool.

And that’s what I liked most about Edward. He realized he has screwed up, and owns his mistakes.

Durnham’s lips thinned. “You are right. What I said is inexcusable. I should have more control over my temper and I apologize.”

This story is a romance between Edward and Charlotte. It’s a mystery, in discovering who is behind the plot, and it’s also Charlotte (who is ridiculously self-possessed) truly coming into her own. It’s a lovely marvelous story.

Publisher: Gallery Books
Rating: 8.5/10

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