Slightly Sinful

Mary Balogh

Mar 2017 · Bedwyn Saga Book 5 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

About this audiobook

As the fires of war raged around him, Lord Alleyne Bedwyn was thrown from his horse and left for dead-only to awaken in the bedchamber of a ladies' brothel. Suddenly the dark, handsome diplomat has no memory of who he is or how he got there-yet of one thing he is certain: The angel who nurses him back to health is the woman he vows to make his own. But like him, Rachel York is not who she seems. A lovely young woman caught up in a desperate circumstance, she must devise a scheme to regain her stolen fortune. The dashing soldier she rescued from near-death could be her savior in disguise. There is just one condition: she must pose as his wife-a masquerade that will embroil them in a sinful scandal, where a man and a woman court impropriety with each daring step . . . with every taboo kiss that can turn passionate strangers into the truest of lovers. Contains mature themes.

Ratings and reviews

Lord Alleyne Bedwyn is carrying a letter from the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo when he is shot in the leg, despite trying to continue his journey he becomes weak from loss of blood and falls off his horse, hitting his head on a tree stump. Alleyne is found by Miss Rachel York, an orphan fallen on hard times who is currently sharing a house in Brussels with a group of prostitutes, including her former nurse. Rachel and the other women have lost all their money to a confidence trickster and have resolved to search the dead bodies for money and treasures, although in reality they are all far too soft-hearted and end up rescuing Alleyne, who they find unconscious, together with a one-eyed Sargeant who helps carry Alleyne to safety. When Alleyne recovers consciousness he has no recollection of his name or who he is, but he falls in love with Rachel, thinking her to be a prostitute. Alleyne knows he can't marry Rachel not least because he doesn't know if he is already married, but he agrees to pretend to be her husband in order for her to inherit her grandmother's jewellery, which is in her uncle's possession until she is 25 years old or married to a man that her uncle approves. Imagine if you will, four prostitutes masquerading as widows and maiden aunts, a one-eyed Sargeant trying to forge a second career as a valet, and a man with no recollection of his true identity descending upon a stately home to fool the owner. This wasn't quite a comedy caper but it came close. As always, Mary Balogh has created a group of characters with depth and charm, a glorious romance and plenty of humour.

About the author

Mary Balogh has written more than one hundred historical novels and novellas, of which almost forty have been New York Times bestsellers. They include the Bedwyn saga, the Simply quartet, the Huxtable quintet, and the seven-part Survivors' Club series. A former teacher, she lives in Canada with her husband.

Rosalyn Landor has worked as an actress since the age of seven, both in Europe and the United States. She is an Audie Award nominee and winner, and she has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards. Rosalyn has also been chosen by AudioFile magazine as a Best Voice of 2009 and 2010.