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Gentlemen of Virtue #2
The Lost Cipher
He would unravel this mystery…or it would unravel him.
Captain Edmund Cholmely has been in the doldrums since his brother’s exposure and death as a traitor. A coded ledger is stolen from the War Office, however, threatening to expose every secret operation Colonel Renforth’s men have ever undertaken, not to mention other war secrets. The cipher is being used again and Renforth sets Edmund to discovering who has the code, seeing it as an opportune task with which Chum might break his melancholy.
Edmund follows the leak to a seaside town where a reserved widow keeps a school, mostly for the daughters of naval officers and those wounded in the war. Her husband created the cipher...
Elise Larkin, widow of Captain Charles Larkin, has run a boarding school for the young ladies of naval officers ever since the loss of her husband. When the stranger comes to the village, she is torn between fear of his purpose and an attraction she cannot deny. Elise is one of just two people still alive who her husband entrusted with the key to a cipher he created for sending coded messages, and she is afraid it will be used for ill.
Edmund knows that recent messages have surfaced using the highly secretive code which is supposed to be dormant. Does the widow know the cipher or hold the key? If released, documents and informants’ names could be revealed, putting them at risk. A mutual need to discover the truth throws Edmund and Elise together, but she suspects him and he suspects her. Gradually, however, Edmund’s rigid notions of guilt and loyalty crumble. He must decide whether love requires trust even when honour forbids it.
Captain Edmund Cholmely has been in the doldrums since his brother’s exposure and death as a traitor. A coded ledger is stolen from the War Office, however, threatening to expose every secret operation Colonel Renforth’s men have ever undertaken, not to mention other war secrets. The cipher is being used again and Renforth sets Edmund to discovering who has the code, seeing it as an opportune task with which Chum might break his melancholy.
Edmund follows the leak to a seaside town where a reserved widow keeps a school, mostly for the daughters of naval officers and those wounded in the war. Her husband created the cipher...
Elise Larkin, widow of Captain Charles Larkin, has run a boarding school for the young ladies of naval officers ever since the loss of her husband. When the stranger comes to the village, she is torn between fear of his purpose and an attraction she cannot deny. Elise is one of just two people still alive who her husband entrusted with the key to a cipher he created for sending coded messages, and she is afraid it will be used for ill.
Edmund knows that recent messages have surfaced using the highly secretive code which is supposed to be dormant. Does the widow know the cipher or hold the key? If released, documents and informants’ names could be revealed, putting them at risk. A mutual need to discover the truth throws Edmund and Elise together, but she suspects him and he suspects her. Gradually, however, Edmund’s rigid notions of guilt and loyalty crumble. He must decide whether love requires trust even when honour forbids it.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2026
50 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Johns
63 books361 followers Like many writers, Elizabeth Johns was first an avid reader, though she was a reluctant convert. It was Jane Austen's clever wit and unique turn of phrase that hooked Johns when she was "forced" to read Pride and Prejudice for a school assignment. She began writing when she ran out of her favorite author’s books and decided to try her hand at crafting a Regency romance novel. Her journey into publishing began with the release of Surrender the Past, book one of the Loring-Abbott Series. Johns makes no pretensions to Austen’s wit but hopes readers will perhaps laugh and find some enjoyment in her writing.
Johns attributes much of her inspiration to her mother, a retired English teacher. During their last summer together, Johns would sit on the porch swing and read her stories to her mother, who encouraged her to continue writing. Busy with multiple careers, including a professional job in the medical field, author and mother of small children, Johns squeezes in time for reading whenever possible.
Johns attributes much of her inspiration to her mother, a retired English teacher. During their last summer together, Johns would sit on the porch swing and read her stories to her mother, who encouraged her to continue writing. Busy with multiple careers, including a professional job in the medical field, author and mother of small children, Johns squeezes in time for reading whenever possible.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Lost Cipher holds the intrigue that keeps you turning the pages. Had I had the time, I would have read this book in one sitting. The author is an amazing wordsmith. She adds a depth to the story and characters that causes a reader to become completely absorbed in the book.
Elisa is a widow that has been left with dangerous secrets. Edmund is a soldier that is wants to prove his loyalty to the crown. He is sent to uncover secrets and finds love as well.
I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to other books by this author.
Elisa is a widow that has been left with dangerous secrets. Edmund is a soldier that is wants to prove his loyalty to the crown. He is sent to uncover secrets and finds love as well.
I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to other books by this author.
February 6, 2026
clean romance with suspense
Spies, espionage, suspense and danger!
The heroine is trying to rebuild her life after death has changed the course. Her husband died fighting evil.
The hero struggles with his own brother’s death (told in A gift of Patience by the author). He is sent out to find out if a traitor exists and uncover something missing.
Throughout the plot of twists and turns there is danger and drama. The discovery of healing and romance adds to the whole story!
I look forward to seeing another of the Gentlemen of Virtue get their own HEA.
Spies, espionage, suspense and danger!
The heroine is trying to rebuild her life after death has changed the course. Her husband died fighting evil.
The hero struggles with his own brother’s death (told in A gift of Patience by the author). He is sent out to find out if a traitor exists and uncover something missing.
Throughout the plot of twists and turns there is danger and drama. The discovery of healing and romance adds to the whole story!
I look forward to seeing another of the Gentlemen of Virtue get their own HEA.
February 5, 2026
Fantastic novel of intrigue and a little romance
I have read many of Elizabeth Johns books and have loved them all; this 1 was a bit different I think in that the suspense was greater than some of the other stories which were mostly regency romances; This 1 was mostly intrigue And I loved it; I loved the characters; I loved Edmund and Elise and all of their friends,the plot was believable and well thought out
I have read many of Elizabeth Johns books and have loved them all; this 1 was a bit different I think in that the suspense was greater than some of the other stories which were mostly regency romances; This 1 was mostly intrigue And I loved it; I loved the characters; I loved Edmund and Elise and all of their friends,the plot was believable and well thought out
February 7, 2026
Beautifully written adventure romance
This author understands that romance is more than just boy meets girl. She avoids the interminable sex scenes which are often used as fillers when an author has nothing worth saying. The wording in this book is beautiful and creates a mood.
This author understands that romance is more than just boy meets girl. She avoids the interminable sex scenes which are often used as fillers when an author has nothing worth saying. The wording in this book is beautiful and creates a mood.
February 2, 2026
Good Story
I enjoyed this well written tale about loyalties, obligation and the human hearts’ yearning for love and acceptance during a time of uncertainty
I enjoyed this well written tale about loyalties, obligation and the human hearts’ yearning for love and acceptance during a time of uncertainty
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews