The loyal fans and readers of Stephanie Laurens have been awaiting the final book in the Bastion Club Series. It is finally here! Mastered By Love is the book in which we learn the true identity of Dalziel, the commander of the agents who worked for him during the war with Napolean. All along Laurens has hinted at Dalziel’s connection to the Ton and there were people like Therese Osbaldestone who recognized him but never gave his secret away. So we find his real identity as Royce Varisey.
He leaves Whitehall to take up his newly acquired position as the tenth Duke of Wolverstone. He has never found the last traitor that he believes is embedded deep in the government. He returns to his home and finds Minerva Chesterton serving as his chatelaine. Minerva grew up at Wolverstone as the ward of Royce’s parents.
Sometime when we wait for a book it never seems to live up to our expectations but this one does. I read it in a day and a half and didn’t want it to end. I liked all of the Bastion Club characters, both the men and their wives. The unveiling of Dalziel was a fitting end to the series. All of the men from the Bastion Club and their wives appeared in this book and it was fun to see them as supporting characters.
The romance between Royce and Minerva develops slowly. The Varisey’s have never been ones to open their hearts and embrace love but as Royce has watched his friends have the kind of marriages that include love and a special sharing, he realizes that he wants the same thing for himself. Can he convince himself and Minerva that this is possible?
The setting in the old keep is perfect for ferreting out that final spy and what a surprise to find out who it was. Wolverstone is set right on the border between England and Scotland and that is one of my favorite settings. Royce’s father left quite a few illegitimate children along the way. His half brother Hamish lives just over the border into Scotland and they have a very close relationship and Hamish and his wife Molly were great supporting characters.
This book is highly recommended and I gave it 5 stars!
I always hate to see the end of a series like this as the characters have become like friends but I shall look forward to Lauren’s next book which come out on October 27, 2009. It is The Untamed Bride and is the first in the Black Cobra Quartet.
