At first, the pithy banter between the hero & heroine was irksome, then it became annoying, and finally it was just plain obnoxious. I don't know what the author was trying to do, but I just wanted to bitch-slap both the hero & heroine. They may have been spies during the Crimean War, sacrificing so much for their countries, but they were self-serving, self-involved individuals, & I couldn't care less if they were caught & hanged as spies - at least I wouldn't have to listen to their oh-so-witty reparte. Blech.
It started pretty good , but then the cruelty just killed it for me.
From the back cover:
Hugh D'Abernon, Marquis of Darley, was in Sevastopol for one reason only: to reconnoitre the town for the British Secret Service. So if he encounters a woman of unparalleled beauty in need of his help, he will do his duty and smartly escort her back to town - then continue on his way. He will not consider being diverted from the task at hand. No matter how tempting the lady. Aurore Clement was unaccustomed to being so susceptible to a man's good looks. From afar, prudence is simple enough, but in close proximity, it is quite a different matter. She would have to keep her distance and focus on more important concerns - like her work with the French command. But when the two meet again, there is no stopping the fierce passion that ignites between them.
Hugh D'Abernon, Marquis of Darley, was in Sevastopol for one reason only: to reconnoitre the town for the British Secret Service. So if he encounters a woman of unparalleled beauty in need of his help, he will do his duty and smartly escort her back to town - then continue on his way. He will not consider being diverted from the task at hand. No matter how tempting the lady. Aurore Clement was unaccustomed to being so susceptible to a man's good looks. From afar, prudence is simple enough, but in close proximity, it is quite a different matter. She would have to keep her distance and focus on more important concerns - like her work with the French command. But when the two meet again, there is no stopping the fierce passion that ignites between them.
