Too Wicked to Marry by Susan Sizemore (2002, Paperback)

I thought this book was really interesting and I could relate to the main characters as they both struggle to deal with the heartaches that they face.

The book starts out a little slow, but then takes off and before you know it you are at the end. I read the book in two days.

The handsome Martin Kestrel believes he is the ultimate catch, as most males do. He arrogantly decides that he is going to marry his daughter's governess that has been in his household for four years. Abruptly he comes home and a asks her, Abigial Perry, to marry and she disappears.

Martin can not believe it. She had not jumped at the chance to marry him. And not only that, but had disappeared when they had been interrupted from their discussion on marriage. Martin becomes upset then obsessed. He must find her. Finally, he receives a clue, and must travel to find his Abigail. Only when he finds her, he discovers that she is not who he thought she was. She is actually a spy -- a women spy who serves the Queen. He can't believe it.

When Abigial, who is really named Harriet, tells Martin the truth about who she is, it breaks her heart. She is in love with the man but knows that he will never overcome the deception between them.

Harriet receives a new assignment due to the fact that her brother, another spy, is in danger. Now she must convince Martin to escort her to a wicked house party as his mistress. Since he is hurting, he accepts only if she truly agrees to become his mistress in all ways. So they begin their journey, the more ways than one, and they find that they can't seem to keep their hearts out of it.

The book is very sexy, senual, and fun to read. A romance with some mystery. I enjoyed this. Julia London writing style seems similar to Julia Quinn or Caroline Linden. Great detail of characters and events with a consistant understandable plot.