cover image The Courtesan's Secret

The Courtesan's Secret

Claudia Dain, . . Berkeley Sensation, $14 (312pp) ISBN 978-0-425-22136-5

The latest entertaining Edwardian from Dain (The Courtesan's Daughter ) aims from the start at putting fiery and beautiful Lady Louisa Kirkland into the right beau's arms. Whether Louisa knows it or not, her companion in friendship since her coming out, Lord Henry Blakesley, is the one for her—not the more delectable marquis of Dutton. Luckily, former courtesan and current countess Lady Sophia Dalby has the perspicacity to perceive that fact. When Lady Louisa comes to Lady Sophia and asks for help landing the marquis, the latter knows just what to do. With some help from a sinful cast of seconds and a few carefully placed red herrings, Sophia arranges all. Frank sexual content, highly amusing repartee and some wickedly attractive open ends round things out. (May)