The Pleasure Gardenby Regan Allenreviewed by Leanne DavisApril 2005, 318 pages, Publisher: Zebra, ISBN: 082177798X Back Cover Blurb: A secret agent in His Majesty's service, Jason Kitterage is much in need of diversion, and a solitary stroll through the shadowy, perfumed lanes of Vauxhall provides it. Quite by chance he meets Miss Angelica Pruitt, a young beauty who is less than forthright about her reasons for being there. Her sensual charm intrigues him but she cannot be a mere fille de joie – her elegance and impeccable manners mark her as a lady. Yet Angelica is alone.
Angelica well believes that the darkly handsome baronet could win the heart of any woman with just one smoldering glance, for he has captured hers. An amorous dalliance on such short acquaintance would be most improper…and impossible to resist.
Angelica Pruitt is the respectable daughter of a deceased vicar who finds herself invited to a party at Vauxhall that is definitely not respectable. She knows why she was invited but she is determined to accomplish her goal, which is to eat a good meal, and slip away. For while Angelica's father was a renowned scholar, his death left Angelica in a precarious financial position.
The party is being hosted by one of Angelica's pupils, Cicely Bryant, and her lover, Lord Rupert Geoffreys. When her host makes his appreciation of Angelica's charms a little too obvious, Jason Kitterage appears to save her.
Jason and his brother have found the fabled Mask of Aphrodite; the sale of which will help restore their depleted family coffers. Jason doesn't know it but the meeting with Angelica will lead him down a path that he didn't plan on taking. With their realization that there is much more to the Mask than he envisions, Jason will have to make some decisions that will dramatically alter his plans for the future.
Ms. Allen has crafted a rather dark story with a hero who takes on heavy responsibilities even though it changes his plans for his life. The decisions he makes puts him at odds with his father and brother. Angelica has to work hard to convince him that he doesn't always know best and that it isn't wrong to take some joy from life. I really enjoyed the legend of the Mask and element of fantasy that it inserted into the story. This book was very well written and I can't wait to see what else this author can do.
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