Seduce Me with Sapphires

Feather’s passionate second London Jewels novel (after Tempt Me with Diamonds) follows the contentious courtship between a noblewoman and a playwright. The Honorable Fenella Grantley studies acting in secret at a tiny drama school in an unfashionable part of Edwardian-era London, knowing her parents would disapprove of such a disreputable interest. Edward Tremayne, the bastard son of an Earl, has been infatuated with Fenella since he saw her during her first London season. When Fenella’s drama class decides to do a reading of Edward’s new play, Sapphire, Edward insists that Fenella play the lead. Fenella objects, finding the role one-dimensional, but Edward wins her over with his wit and good looks, seducing her both into giving the play a chance and sleeping with him. The pair fall into a steamy affair, despite their differing world views and Fenella’s family’s expectations that she marry conservative Lord George Headington. Assisted by her friends Petra and Diana, Fenella fends off George’s advances and finds time to be with Edward. Feather keeps the actual theatrics largely off-stage, but readers will be pleased with the clandestine trysts and dramatic fights of this romance. (Feb.)