Lady Jane Guthrie is tired of being treated like a servant by her own family.  Finally, for one night, she has a chance to escape.  Dressed in a daring gown, she goes to a courtesans’ masquerade ball looking forward to a few hours of freedom.  There she meets Seth Rutledge.  He had broken her heart many years ago when he fell for her title-hungry sister.  Now he’s here, offering her his lips.  He doesn’t know that behind the mask, the interesting woman is Jane.  Embittered by war, Seth has come home to inherit a title that would have won him the woman of his dreams.  Duty demands he weds, but he feels that love doesn’t have a place in his life anymore after that one disappointment.  But this masked woman ignites a flame he cannot resist and he is desperate to find her again.  After that one night, their lives will never be the same.  But, will Seth realize the gift that is being given him? 

This is similar to a Cinderella story, with Jane being Cinderella.  She is practically a prisoner in her own house while her family makes her take care of their children and refuse to let her out because they say she needs to be in mourning.  Still, after over a year, Jane is quite determined to get out and about.  Ms Jordan writes a believable story and gives her readers a hero who has decided that love and passion are no longer the requisites for a marriage.  This story reads quickly, is delightful and sensuous.  It’s also a story of duty, passion and love.  Jane is no wall flower and she is prepared to take her life into her own hands and won’t let anyone dictate to her what she should and should not do.  This kind of romance makes a nice change from my usual fare.  I prefer more darker, gritty stories but now and again I do enjoy a sweet, sensual historical. 

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