The Rake (Daughters of Dishonour Series) by Ava Bond – Review by Stephanie Runyon

The Rake by Ava Bond
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Margot is traveling to London with her sister to meet her biological father. At the Duke’s house, she hears a struggle and discovers an intruder fighting the Duke. When Margot grabs a poker from the fireplace, the intruder aims his gun at her. The Duke jumps to block the bullet. The intruder tries to get a map from the Duke’s hand but it tears. Margot pursues the man into the garden door of Langley’s house, stumbling into an orgy. She sees the killer run upstairs. She tries to follow but Langley, sans pants, blocks her path. Langley attempts to charm Margot, but threatens him with the poker before leaving.

The Bow Street Runner and Mr. Holt don’t listen to Margot. Langley drops by while the men were present. He orders the attorney and runner to find the killer. Margot, despite not trusting the handsome rake, agrees to his offer of assistance. However, his offer has two conditions: they must coordinate the search together and she owes him a real kiss. Mrs. Bowley enters the room and runs Langley off. Mrs. Bowley believes Margot is a debutante and Margot fears this would become an expensive venture. She sends her sister, Elsie, to Cornwall to find the duke’s heir/ She fears Elsie could be hurt by the killer and the inheritance depends on the heir coming to London.

Langley is hesitant to take Margot to the first mark on her map. Limestone was known for criminal activity. After dressing in a dark cape with a hood, Margot and Langley travel to the East Side until they arrive. Langley sends his men inside the inn while escorting Margot towards the clock. Frustrated to find the gate locked, the pair are about to kiss when a man exits the inn. Margot recognizes him immediately. She tries to challenge him to give her the rest of the map. She had brought a kitchen knife with her to defend herself. Suddenly Langley knocks her to the ground and covers her as the sound of a gunshot goes off. The man had pointed his gun at her through his coat jacket. Margot hadn’t seen his actions. Langley’s driver stated that they had seen the man remove a key from the clock.

Now they knew what they were searching for. Unfortunately, many of the places on the map would require Langley to attend society’s balls, ruining his reputation as a libertine. Why does Margot intrigue him so much? It was different with her than his previous flings. How is Langley different from what his reputation is? Despite her claim of not looking for a match, why do his charms make her think of desire? Does Elsie find the heir?

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