Rogue’s Honor
Rogue’s Honor by Brenda Hiatt 2001 Regency
Rogue’s Honor is set in 1816 with Lady Pearl Moreston being pressured to marry by her stepmother who wants her son to inherit all of the Duke’s property. Pearl is waiting until her 21st birthday to inherit Fairbourne where she hopes to try new methods of her own and help the poor. She dresses as a servant named Purdy and runs away with her maid, Hettie, but they are enlisted to work at a party down the street where Pearl meets Luke St. Clair, also posing as a servant. He is the notorious Saint of Seven Dials, a Robin Hood character who robs from the rich and gives to the poor, including himself
When one of the guest thinks she recognizes Purdy as Pearl, she flees with Luke who takes her to his humble abode in the poor section of London. They have immediate attraction to each other but Pearl plays a simpleton and Luke sees himself as her protector. She helps save a little girl who eats poison set out for rats and a little boy who broke his leg, endearing him to Luke more and revealing that she isn’t a simpleton at all.
Luke searches for Hettie to help her and retrieve his stolen loot, which he gives to Flute, a 15-year-old boy who Luke protects and uses to fence stolen goods. He also overhears that the Saint has kidnapped Pearl. During the night Pearl returns home and pretends she was visiting her nurse. Luke disguises himself as Lucio di Santo and stays with his friend Marcus to search the ton parties for a servant girl named Purdy. Instead he comes face to face with Pearl.
The story continues with Pearl helping Luke find out about his past, which he doesn’t want to accept, and Luke helping Pearl escape a match to a boring man after she thinks he hates her. Throw in a murdering uncle, a lost inheritance, and a prison escape and Rogue’s Honor has plenty of action and intrigue to keep the pages turning.
Hiatt has several books published and I recommend trying at least one. I don’t think it will be enough and readers will come back for more of her colorful characters and adventurous plots. It’s a fun read for everyone.
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