The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount

Starred review from September 10, 2007
With this singular, outstanding Regency romance, London concludes the Desperate Debutante series at the top of her game. Lady Phoebe Fairchild is a talented seamstress who sews dresses for an exclusive London Bond Street shop, but knows that if her job is revealed, it will expose her family’s financial woes to the ton
and ruin their reputation—not to mention Phoebe’s marriage prospects. Knowing this, her employer threatens to expose Phoebe if she refuses to travel to rural Bedfordshire to sew gowns at the home of William Darby, Viscount Summerfield. Phoebe reluctantly agrees, and posing as widowed dressmaker Madame Dupree, she travels to Summerfield’s estate to create gowns for his wild, untamed sisters. Soon, Phoebe and Will are involved in an intense affair that’s very likely doomed, as Will must wed a noblewoman—which Phoebe is, but Madame Dupree is not. Should she reveal her deceit, making her a worthy bride for Summerfield? Or should she keep up the charade, lest he despise her for her duplicity? As London explores the intricate, authentic-feeling relationships blossoming among the players, her masterful ability to bring characters to life makes this romance entirely absorbing.