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Wicked Intentions
in Paperback edition on August 1, 2010 and has 382 pages.
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First in the Maiden Lane slightly erotic, historical romance series. The couple focus is on Mrs. Temperance Dews and Lord Caire in 1737 London.
My Take
Well, Hoyt gets kudos for being original in her plot. She’s not particularly concerned with historical accuracy, but she writes well enough that I’m okay with this. I usually get rather pissy. It is rather melodramatic every once in a while — “And he wrapped his black cape about her like the wings of a bird.”
As for the “slightly erotic” comment, Hoyt incorporates a bit of voyeurism and some mild bondage which was mildly titillating. I did enjoy Hoyt’s psychological analyses in the story. The story seemed contrived to fit around the psychology and the sex with all the rest as reasons to discuss it. I don’t see any other reason for Lord Caire to be hunting down a murderer himself. Oooh, then there’s Caire’s response to his mother’s demand to know what she did to deserve this treatment of her…it’s perfect! One word that covers such a multitude of sins.
While the chapter quotes telling the story of King Lockedheart were fairy-taleishly cute, it was a rather awkward explanation about love.
Why don’t we ever learn why Caire hurts when he is touched?
Ewww, a doctor who thinks keeping the pus in is beneficial…eww…
The Story
The struggle is becoming almost impossible to keep open the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children. If they can’t find the money to pay the back rent, the landlord will throw them all to the street.
So, when Lord Caire steals into her home with his odd bargain, Temperance doesn’t believe she can refuse. And it’s only desperation that keeps Temperance involved with Caire’s quest in the face of her brothers’ disapproval and her own fears.
Or, is it her unwanted desires for what Caire exposes her to that causes her to seek out his company?
The Characters
Temperance Dews is a widow paying for her sins and struggling to care for 28 foundlings along with her brother Winter Makepeace. Nell Jones is Temperance’s maidservant. Benjamin Dews is her deceased husband.
Lazurus Huntington, Lord Caire, is notorious in London for his unsuitable appetites. Small is his valet. Lady Caire is his very fashionable mother whom he refuses to allow to live with him. Godric St. John is just about his only friend and he is not happy with how he’s treating Mrs. Dews. Marie Hume is the mistress who was horribly murdered. Tommy Pett was her brother who works at Mrs. Whiteside’s; Pansy is the manager and Jacky is her bodyguard.
Concord is their eldest brother and he runs the brewery he inherited from their father. Asa is another brother (and I suspect he’s the St. Giles ghost) with his own mysterious business. Verity and Silence are married; Silence, happily, to Captain William Hollingbrook of the Finch, who doesn’t take kindly to her bargain with a thief.
Mary Whitsun is the oldest girl currently with them; Mary Hope is their newest charge. Mary Evening and Joseph Tinbox are two more. Polly is Mary Hope’s wet nurse.
Mr. Wedge is their landlord. Sir Stanley Gilpin had been their father’s friend and one of the founders of the Home. It seems he forgot to mention them in his will. Mother Heart’s-Ease is the proprietress of a gin joint in St. Giles. Lady Hero is the daughter and sister of the Duke of Wakefield. Charming Mickey O’Connor is the king of thieves on the London docks; Harry is one of his men and rather sympathetic to Silence. Ghost of St. Giles is considered a rumor, until he steps up time and again to help Caire and Temperance. Sir Henry is a pervert.
The Cover and Title
The cover is subdued pastels in bluish greens, lilac, and gray with Temperance fleeing down a foggy, cobbled London street. She is wearing a gown she didn’t wear in this story; it’s gold satin with a turquoise cloak.
The title is too true for Lord Caire has some very Wicked Intentions concerning Mrs. Dews.
