Dissatisfied debutante Diana Tiverton secretly visited her half-sister, Ivory Wilson, the famed madam, and dreamed of having scandalous excitement before settling into a dull respectable marriage with her betrothed. All she wanted was to exchange places with her half-sister for one night, just to see what Ivory saw. Thanks to similar hair and voice (against Ivory's better judgment), they managed the masquerade, enabled with a mask. She watched the goings on with great interest, and fended off the interest of the enticingly wicked Lucien Northcote, Viscount Lord Pembroke, encouraging him to play a game with some of the "girls." After watching the unique version of Blind Man's Bluff, Diana recognized Stephen, her own fiance as the next participant, and she could not hold back her emotional response.

Shocked, she called out his name and ran out, to be rescued and recognized by Lucien, and carted off in his carriage. That carriage ride, or more specifically, Lucien, exquisitely introduced the still-virgin Diana to sexual pleasure. And when he invited her into his home (if you'll pardon the pun), she came. Once Lucien had her in his home, he did every imaginable sexual thing to her and with her, between cycles of bathing and eating. Careful of his guest's virginity, he encouraged her fantasies and created desires in her that he alone could fulfill. But there were problems to deal with: a visit from Lucien's mother pressuring him to marry; what had to be done about Sir Stephan, Diana's betrothed; keeping Diana from being connected with the masked woman who blurted out Sir Stephan's name and ran from Ivory's brothel.

The complications (including some I have not mentioned) are typical of Historical Romances of this period. However, in my opinion, this story does tip the scale as being Erotica-or to use Ellora's Cave terminology, Romantica-rather than Historical Romance. Traditional Historical Romances don't have this much sex nor are they quite so explicit in description. Ms. Page, while managing to keep the story strictly between two participants, also manages to tease her innocent heroine with everything from bondage to orgies. If you want to read a hot, suggestive British Historical with explicit sex that goes beyond the limits of what you would find in a print Romance, yet keeps the partners limited to two (not that Lucien does not suggest more when he's whispering in her ear), then you will certainly enjoy this story.

Reviewed By: Maitresse
(c) Sept 2004