The Temptation of the Night Jasmine

After twelve years in India, Robert, Duke of Dovedale, returns to his estate in England to avenge the murder of his mentor during the 1803 Battle of Assaye.  Robert plans to infiltrate the infamous, secretive Hellfire Club to uncover the murderer's identity -- but he has no idea that even more difficult challenge awaits him, in the person of one Lady Charlotte Lansdowne.
Having cherished a romanticized view of Robert since childhood, Charlotte is thrilled by his return.  To Charlotte, Robert is all the Knights of the Round Table rolled into one.  That's not exactly the case, but she can't help but search for the man she loves inside this less-than-pristine package.  And while Robert works to dissuade Charlotte from her delusions, he can't help but be drawn to her innocence and inner beauty.
When Charlotte is approached by Lady Henrietta Selwick to join her in a bit of espionage -- investigating a plot to kidnap the king -- Robert soon realizes that Charlotte is not only the perfect partner in crime; she's the perfect partner, period.  Caught in a dangerous game with deadly flower-named spies and secret members of the Hellfire Club, Robert and Charlotte must work together to reveal the villain...and confront their true passion for each other.

After reading the previous book in the series, my expectations on this book weren't very high.  I was hoping that it would be better but I was a little skeptical about it. But, read the book I did.


Lady Charlotte Lansdowne is a wall-flower, she's a heiress and she lives in her own little fantasy world.  She also has a grandmother that loves to control everything and everyone her.  It's not easy to be her own person with grandmother meddling in her life. When her cousin, Robert returns from his decade long travels, she excited to have her childhood friend back, and hopes that their friendship will evolve to something more.


And that's when the roller-coaster of emotions start for both the hero and heroine of the story.  He wants to protect her from his need of revenge and she wants to help him no matter the consequences. Robert doesn't know how to react to the feelings he has for Charlotte.  He wants to protect, therefore he breaks her heart and her trust. 


Although I enjoyed this book more than the previous one, I found that there was way too much going on in the story.  I did love the way that the author incorporated the King's illness into the book, it just wasn't a little mention it really revolved around the illness and how he was perceived among the people closest to him.


Hmmm, I wonder what will happen next....


The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig (4/5) Historical Fiction; Published: Dutton (2/2009);  Series: # 5, Pink Carnation; Library; Books 2012 (25)