A Rakish Spy

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: With a little more substance in terms of plot than many other Regencies, this book was a quick and enjoyable read. Finch is a likeable hero who comes to see his long-time acquaintance and new correspondence secretary Charlotte for the worthy, honest, and honorable young lady that she is. There wasn't much suspense in Charlotte's "development" of her feelings (because she has harbored a tendre for him since her youth). Nevertheless, the smuggling/spy plot which dominates the story keeps one well entertained. Do not be fooled by the back of the cover, which says incorrectly that they meet on a London street (and thus impliedly sets the story in London); the majority of the book is set in the small town where the two protagonists grew up.

From the back of the book:
"A Spirited Schoolmistress"
Vicar's daughter Charlotte Gregory spent much of her girlhood infatuated with the dashing Francis BUrnham, Viscount Finchwood. As he was far beyond her touch, Charlotte accepted a suitor of more modest means, but when her faithless fiance cries off, she takes a position as headmistress of a girls' school. Life is satisfying, if a trifle dull...until the day Charlotte meets Finch on a London street, and receives a most unconventional proposal.
"A Daring Rogue"
Since his military career was halted by an injury, Finch has found little to amuse himself. Morose and slipping into a life of dissipation, he is even tiring of his string of all-too-willing women, when Whitehall asks him to infiltrate a ring of French spies operating among the haut ton. Charlotte is just the person to help him, if he can convince her that for once his motives are worthy. However, convincing himself that his interest in the charming young lady is purely professional will be a far greater challenge...