The Scandalous Life of a True Lady Book

This book had a good story, but it was not your typical romance novel of today. There was tension and foreplay between the hero and heroine, but their physical relationship was never consummated. The characters were likeable, and the storyline was interesting, but the book was not the steamy, heated romance that I was expecting, which lessened my enjoyment.

Simone Ryland has managed to support herself and her brother since they were orphaned, but she is now in a dire predicament. After unpleasant incidents with the males in the last residences where she was employed, she is left without references and knows she will not find another position as a governess. She has decided that her virtue, which she has protected so diligently, will be taken from her eventually without her consent, so she may as well profit from its loss. She believes that she and her young brother will be better able to survive if she becomes a rich man's mistress. A brothel owner introduces her to Major Harrison, who is actually Harry Harmon, a government employee and master of disguises. Harry has need of an intelligent, gently bred mistress to attend a house party with him while he tries to find a traitor to the government. The house party will be attended by rich men and their mistresses, with a contest to crown the "Queen of the Courtesans." Simone has second thoughts about becoming a fallen woman, but she wants the opportunity to win some of the money that will be awarded to winners in the contest events. Harry also has second thoughts about causing a young woman's downfall, so he decides to hire her to play his mistress instead of actually becoming lovers. The two attend the house party, engaging in the activities of the contest while looking for the government traitor. As events progress, Harry and Simone begin to have deep feelings for one another, and must decide if they will have a relationship after the house party ends.

I enjoyed reading this book, which has some paranormal elements - the hero can "taste lies and truths," and the heroine looks at someone and has impressions of their future. I felt let down at the end due to the lack of an intimate relationship between the hero and heroine. This is my first book by this author, so I don't know if this book was typical of her others.