Master of Sin

Robinson (Mistress by Marriage) turns in an unusual Regency packed with drama. Andrew Rossiter’s son, Marco, was conceived at the behest of an Italian duke who was unable to impregnate his wife. Raised as the heir, Marco is a target for relatives who crave the title and fortune, so when the duke and duchess are killed, Andrew flees to Scotland with Marco and hires a Miss Peartree to be the three-year-old’s governess. To his surprise, Miss Peartree is actually Gemma Anna Bassano, who has her own unhappy ties to Italy. Andrew, a rape survivor and former prostitute who is not so much bisexual as unable to believe his desires matter, is ashamed of his past and convinced he has to do penance, while Gemma and Marco struggle to show him that he is worthy of being loved. Despite the heavy secrets, the romance is unaffected and pure. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency. (Apr.)