Loretta Chase, Knave's Wager

The knave's wager of the title is one in which the reputable rake, Lord Julian Brandon, takes on a wager that he cannot seduce the proper widow Lilith Davenport. Make a wild guess what happens...

Widow is seduced, rake loses his heart, widow finds out about the bet at the worst possible moment, reformation of the rake, etc. I didn't spoil it, did I? ;)

Loretta Chase, however, manages to make the formula work instead of having it be stupid -- either that, or I have a secret fondness for this formula, which is also possible. Julian's a rake in the sort of good-willed woman-chaser, not so much one of the alpha bastard type rakes. Plus, I enjoy how the seduction goes on on the mental level, not just a whole bunch of scandalous kisses that weaken Lilith's knees and morality.

I thought Lilith was a much more interesting character (although Julian was quite likable as well), but then I tend to be fascinated with highly moral people and what they do about their morals in the real world.

Lilith's niece Cecily and Julian's cousin Robert, I felt, were much less interesting, particularly Cecily, who just seems a wee bit too nice and perfect yet wonderfully tomboyish. And I feel sorry for Robert's mistress Elise.

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I found this on Jintian's recs pages, and, sigh. Read about half of it before really seeing red.

I hate it when I know too much about the authors and it starts tainting their works.