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Setting: 1883 England
He’s a former libertine – seducer of women, scandalized – and she’s an American. Society’s peers in England have already snubbed their nose at her sister for being the first American heiress to marry a duke. Now she’s in London, looking for a marriage to someone of higher peerage, or is she?
American Heiress Clara Wilson is about to attend her first London ball. A few years ago, her sister, Sophia, had a successful first Season in London and married the Duke of Wentworth. Their sister, Adele, is in New York enjoying her first Season. Clara’s parents sent her to London after a disaster and a scandal during Clara’s Season in New York two years ago. She nearly married a swindler, and now her family hopes she will be free from all gossip by going to the London Marriage Mart.
Seger Wolfe, the Marquess of Rawdon, has been banned from proper society. Involved in a divorce scandal some time back, as well as him still feeling empty from the woman he loved eight years ago being driven away by his father, he has become England’s most coveted lover. Now, after years of superficial encounters, Seger is beginning to feel very empty inside. When he accidentally meets an enchanting young woman at a most inappropriate ball, he wonders just what it is about her, and if he will ever meet her again.
In Clara’s enthusiasm, she and her chaperone are two doors away from the correct ball. They’ve inadvertently attended, albeit briefly, a Cakras Ball, a place where lewd activities are the main part of the agenda. Wearing a mask, and dancing with the most seductive of men, Clara’s drawn into a dark corner and receives the most passionate of kisses. It doesn’t take long for the man – Seger Wolfe – to realize that Clara’s an innocent, and in the wrong place. He informs her of the correct address, and she realizes her mistake. He sends her off, without ruin or gossip – or so he hopes. However, the kiss they shared will change their lives forever.
Seger cannot stop thinking about the woman – though at the time, anonymous. However, London gossip has made its way to the morning news, and he now knows her identity – Clara Wilson from America, sister to a duchess. Rejected by upper echelon for years, Seger wonders if he’ll ever see the charming woman again.
Clara can’t stop thinking of the handsome stranger either, so she’s determined to meet him again. Her sister, Sophia, makes a way for them to sneak into another Cakras Ball, where she indeed has another dance with the man who has enthralled her. With all honor, he sends her away again. But at least Clara leaves with his first name. This leads to the Duke and Duchess of Wentworth discovering his identity, ignoring his bad reputation, and inviting him and his family to their next Assembly. Polite society is shocked, but Sophia would do anything for Clara, including allowing her to meet the Marquess on proper ground.
Clara and Seger spend a lot of time together, and she learns of his tragic past, and how much it has jaded him. Yet, the attraction grows and grows. They begin AN AFFAIR MOST WICKED, as they have become irresistible to each other. The have lust as the basis of their relationship. But, Clara hopes to be the woman to make a difference in Seger’s life in this passionate story by MacLean. The key issue surpasses passion and becomes a matter of trust.
Clara’s intelligence and determination, Seger’s seductive manner, and Sophia’s understanding and support, all lend to two people finding love despite obstacles that begin to mount due to the oddest of situations. AN AFFAIR MOST WICKED is a page-turner. The reader is drawn into Clara’s emotions, with a strong hope for their future. This is most definitely a sensual read for a time period in history where appearances are everything, and gossip can destroy. Yet, Clara and Seger continue on, growing stronger, despite the odds.
For a touching, delightful read, this is one story readers will certainly enjoy, especially if they’ve read Sophia’s story, TO MARRY THE DUKE, by MacLean. In visiting Ms. MacLean’s website
Julianne MacLean, I’ve found that there are two more books in this series! Oh, I certainly hope to be first in line!
Reviewed by Robin Taylor
for The Road to Romance
July 22, 2004
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