Title:
Masquerading the Marquess

Author:
Anne Mallory

Published By:
Avon Books

ISBN #:
0-06-058787-3

Release Date:
Sept 28, 2004

Format:
Print

Masquerading the Marquessis a worthy contender for best historical debut of the year. This tale involving a secret spy ring, missing persons and murder is cleverly woven through an impossible romance.

Calliope Minton is a very skilled caricaturist. Her mother had been a famous courtesan and opera singer, so Calliope was brought up on the fringes of high society, always an outsider. She has very low opinions of the giggling debutantes, marriage minded mamas, desperate widows and members of the peerage. Her talent for ridiculing the upper classes through her caricatures very soon became her passion. She applied elaborate disguises and ruses to gain admittance to gatherings of the Ton, so the situations and people she depicted were very true to life. Disguised as a companion to an elderly woman, in drab garments and spectacles, Miss Margaret Stafford (Calliope) attracts the unwanted attention of the Marquess of Angelford, James Trenton. Despite the differences in their social station, Angelford and Miss Stafford cannot cease frequently baiting each other. Miss Stafford is inspired to create a whole series of caricatures based on her impressions of the insufferable Angelford. Unfortunately, Miss Stafford’s inability to know her place in society eventually leads to a point where she is dismissed and humiliated whilst attending a large soiree. When Calliope is rudely dismissed by Lady Simpson she decides that her new persona will be a glamorous courtesan, Esmeralda.

James had enjoyed his frequent exchanges with Lady Simpson’s companion and felt the loss of her outspoken company. He is astounded and outraged when he realises that the stunning courtesan on his friend Stephen’s arm is the same dowdy former companion. As she steps into her new role, Calliope learns that her chosen protector is a close friend of the Marquess of Angelford. Angelford is a man that she must avoid for her heart’s sake, a man who will never treat Calliope as an equal.

Angelford is always in control. He is proud of his capacity to remain unruffled and can take charge of any situation. His work as a spy for the Foreign Office has given him a good perspective of the world and a strong measure of his own worthiness.

Angelford has met his match in Calliope. She incites and evokes forgotten emotions. Her sharp wit and intelligence set her apart from the other woman in his life. She does not throw herself at him. Calliope is determined never to let Angelford have the upper hand and she is constantly challenging his beliefs. Her mother was an opera singer, so surely she would not dare think of any station higher than his mistress?

Anne Mallory’s brilliant debut novel easily ranks with releases from many well-established favourite authors. She delivers a well-constructed plot, involving an ever more complicated ring of spies, a murder and a feisty romance between characters on opposite sides of society. Facts hinted at in the opening chapters are unravelled and neatly tied up in the fast paced conclusion. The author has a flawless writing style; she captures the essence of her characters and the villains with some very smooth and simple dialogue. The sex scenes are not graphic or modern in tone, respectful of a period in which most virgins’ knowledge of intimacy was limited. The gradual build up of sexual tension is eased in a manner that will please readers who prefer to use their imagination. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Masquerading the Marquess and hope to see more from this first-rate author!



Reviewed by: Naomi