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Swanlea Spinsters #4
Dance of Seduction
She vowed to resist...
It's difficult enough for Lady Clara Stanbourne to run her London home for reformed young pickpockets without having to contend with a criminal right next door! The mysterious Morgan Pryce is obviously dealing in stolen property, and she will never allow the handsome scoundrel to lead the children astray. Pryce is very much mistaken if he believes her a delicate rose he can wilt with passionate, unspoken promises. Now if only Clara could douse the fiery yearning the charming cad ignites inside her.
His heated caresses...
This bold, beautiful temptress is indeed a distraction—and Morgan wishes he could tell the exquisite Clara the truth: that he is working undercover to break up a notorious crime ring. His mind should be on his duty—not wondering how it would feel to hold Clara in his arms and taste her luscious lips. But now that she has entered into his most dangerous game,Morgan knows he must have her, despite the very real peril to his secret mission—and to his heart.
It's difficult enough for Lady Clara Stanbourne to run her London home for reformed young pickpockets without having to contend with a criminal right next door! The mysterious Morgan Pryce is obviously dealing in stolen property, and she will never allow the handsome scoundrel to lead the children astray. Pryce is very much mistaken if he believes her a delicate rose he can wilt with passionate, unspoken promises. Now if only Clara could douse the fiery yearning the charming cad ignites inside her.
His heated caresses...
This bold, beautiful temptress is indeed a distraction—and Morgan wishes he could tell the exquisite Clara the truth: that he is working undercover to break up a notorious crime ring. His mind should be on his duty—not wondering how it would feel to hold Clara in his arms and taste her luscious lips. But now that she has entered into his most dangerous game,Morgan knows he must have her, despite the very real peril to his secret mission—and to his heart.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 30, 2003
127 people are currently reading
1394 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina Jeffries
86 books4,795 followersSabrina Jeffries is the NYT bestselling author of over 50 novels and works of short fiction (some written under the pseudonyms Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas). Whatever time not spent writing in a coffee-fueled haze of dreams and madness is spent traveling with her husband and adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions—jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, and music. With over 11 million books published in print and electronically in 25 different languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a budding career in academics for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction, and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world.
She always dreams big.
She always dreams big.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
September 26, 2021
I loved the way Clara was introduced - descended from a long line of reformers and rogues. Her fathers side was Quakers and Wiggs. Her mother’s side was scoundrels, gamblers and debauchers. She’s a mixture of staunch morals and undiscovered passion.
When her Uncle passes, he leaves her 10,000 pounds. She runs the Stanbourne Home for the Reformation of Pickpockets and is eager to put the money to use fixing up the place.
Morgan sells nautical goods to sailers from his shop in Spitalfields since he is on half pay as a Captain. Really, he’s doing some serious work catching a criminal making a face like he is a fence in the area.
The two meet on the street and the story takes on a very loose enemies to lovers trope. I mean, how excited can a woman who runs a pickpocket school be that a supposed thief has set up shop right next door? But this didn’t have the things that have been annoying me about enemies to lovers lately. It was well done. Some arguing, some push and pull, some slight dislike until they fall in together.
I will say Morgan has the classic issues of a hero from back in the day. Or found pretty commonly with Sabrina Jeffries work. Family issues have given him the inability to hope for his future, he has a hard time forgiving and processing things from his past and it affects his ability to have a relationship.
I did think the book had a fairly early first kiss, but it worked pretty good. That usually bothers me too because I feel like the tension is broken too soon. But it was fine.
There is a bit of a mystery/action plot that keeps the story going. It doesn’t take over the book or anything, I felt like their romance was definitely front and center.
I do think this was my favorite of the series so far. This is book 4. While Morgan is discussed in book 2, and appears briefly in book 3, I wouldn’t say you had to read those to get more from this book. This can totally be read as a stand-alone.
So overall a pleasant read. I didn’t get strong feelings from it, or spent every minute devouring it, but still good.
Locations of kisses/sex scenes
When her Uncle passes, he leaves her 10,000 pounds. She runs the Stanbourne Home for the Reformation of Pickpockets and is eager to put the money to use fixing up the place.
Morgan sells nautical goods to sailers from his shop in Spitalfields since he is on half pay as a Captain. Really, he’s doing some serious work catching a criminal making a face like he is a fence in the area.
The two meet on the street and the story takes on a very loose enemies to lovers trope. I mean, how excited can a woman who runs a pickpocket school be that a supposed thief has set up shop right next door? But this didn’t have the things that have been annoying me about enemies to lovers lately. It was well done. Some arguing, some push and pull, some slight dislike until they fall in together.
I will say Morgan has the classic issues of a hero from back in the day. Or found pretty commonly with Sabrina Jeffries work. Family issues have given him the inability to hope for his future, he has a hard time forgiving and processing things from his past and it affects his ability to have a relationship.
I did think the book had a fairly early first kiss, but it worked pretty good. That usually bothers me too because I feel like the tension is broken too soon. But it was fine.
There is a bit of a mystery/action plot that keeps the story going. It doesn’t take over the book or anything, I felt like their romance was definitely front and center.
I do think this was my favorite of the series so far. This is book 4. While Morgan is discussed in book 2, and appears briefly in book 3, I wouldn’t say you had to read those to get more from this book. This can totally be read as a stand-alone.
So overall a pleasant read. I didn’t get strong feelings from it, or spent every minute devouring it, but still good.
Locations of kisses/sex scenes
September 20, 2017
3.5 stars
January 11, 2018
Good book. I especially enjoyed a setting outside the usual balls and house parties. Clara runs a home for reformed pickpockets in one of the seedier parts of London. She works hard to show them a better way of life and find them proper employment. She is dismayed and angry when a man who deals in stolen goods moves in so close to her property. She doesn't need him tempting her children, let alone herself! Morgan is there for one reason only - working undercover to catch the leader of a crime ring. The last thing he needs is the distraction posed by the beautiful and passionate Clara. The sooner he can fulfill his mission and get away from her temptation the happier he will be.
I really liked both Clara and Morgan. Clara is determined, spirited, and passionate about her work with the children. She refuses to let the Morgan's arrival undo her hard work and has no trouble charging in to save one of her boys from his evil influence. She is quite stubborn, and when things don't add up she takes matters into her own hands. Morgan is a man who is haunted by his past. Though eventually rescued from a bad childhood, the things he did have influenced the man he is now. Though he gives the impression of being a ruthless criminal, he is actually an honorable man doing what he can to serve his country.
Clara and Morgan struck sparks off each other from the moment they met. I loved watching Clara stand up to his threats. Morgan wasn't sure at times if he wanted to shake her or kiss her, and the kissing usually won out. It was fun to see him do his best to scare her off, especially since her reaction was usually the opposite. It didn't take long for Clara to realize that his words and actions didn't match up, making her even more determined to get at the truth. I enjoyed how she persisted until Morgan had no choice but to tell her what was going on. I found it amusing that in spite of his worry that she wouldn't be able to keep the secret, he was the one who couldn't stay away from her. I also liked the fact that when Morgan proposed marriage to protect her reputation, she refused to settle for what he was offering. She made it plain to him that she deserved more. I loved how well she understood him and wanted him to see the same man that she did. It was an emotional scene when he was finally able to let go of the past and see a bright future. The epilogue was a nice wrap-up for the book.
The part of the book dealing with Morgan's mission to capture the Spectre was pretty good. Morgan's past made him uniquely suited for the mission. I enjoyed Morgan's interactions with Johnny the pickpocket and Samuel the footman, as he tried to maintain his cover without putting them in danger. The first encounter with Spectre was pretty creepy, especially with his disguise. It was easy to feel the threat that he posed to both Morgan and Clara. As the book progressed, I suspected who it might be, but wasn't sure how he pulled it off until the end. The final confrontation was intense and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
The secondary characters also added depth to the story. I loved Clara's Aunt Verity and her dogs. It was easy to picture them as I was reading, along with her attempts to fix Clara up with Lord Winthrop. My favorites were Johnny and Samuel. Johnny's struggle with giving up pickpocketing was real. It was easy to see that he wanted to please Clara, but giving up that independence was hard. He had that teenage bravado that tried to hide his vulnerability, and I liked the way that Morgan tried to help him. I also loved Samuel, the reformed pickpocket who is now Clara's footman. I loved his protectiveness toward Clara, and his growth into the position as Morgan took him under his wing. He was really sweet with Lucy, too.
I definitely want to read the other books in the series, especially the one about Juliet and Morgan's brother.
I really liked both Clara and Morgan. Clara is determined, spirited, and passionate about her work with the children. She refuses to let the Morgan's arrival undo her hard work and has no trouble charging in to save one of her boys from his evil influence. She is quite stubborn, and when things don't add up she takes matters into her own hands. Morgan is a man who is haunted by his past. Though eventually rescued from a bad childhood, the things he did have influenced the man he is now. Though he gives the impression of being a ruthless criminal, he is actually an honorable man doing what he can to serve his country.
Clara and Morgan struck sparks off each other from the moment they met. I loved watching Clara stand up to his threats. Morgan wasn't sure at times if he wanted to shake her or kiss her, and the kissing usually won out. It was fun to see him do his best to scare her off, especially since her reaction was usually the opposite. It didn't take long for Clara to realize that his words and actions didn't match up, making her even more determined to get at the truth. I enjoyed how she persisted until Morgan had no choice but to tell her what was going on. I found it amusing that in spite of his worry that she wouldn't be able to keep the secret, he was the one who couldn't stay away from her. I also liked the fact that when Morgan proposed marriage to protect her reputation, she refused to settle for what he was offering. She made it plain to him that she deserved more. I loved how well she understood him and wanted him to see the same man that she did. It was an emotional scene when he was finally able to let go of the past and see a bright future. The epilogue was a nice wrap-up for the book.
The part of the book dealing with Morgan's mission to capture the Spectre was pretty good. Morgan's past made him uniquely suited for the mission. I enjoyed Morgan's interactions with Johnny the pickpocket and Samuel the footman, as he tried to maintain his cover without putting them in danger. The first encounter with Spectre was pretty creepy, especially with his disguise. It was easy to feel the threat that he posed to both Morgan and Clara. As the book progressed, I suspected who it might be, but wasn't sure how he pulled it off until the end. The final confrontation was intense and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
The secondary characters also added depth to the story. I loved Clara's Aunt Verity and her dogs. It was easy to picture them as I was reading, along with her attempts to fix Clara up with Lord Winthrop. My favorites were Johnny and Samuel. Johnny's struggle with giving up pickpocketing was real. It was easy to see that he wanted to please Clara, but giving up that independence was hard. He had that teenage bravado that tried to hide his vulnerability, and I liked the way that Morgan tried to help him. I also loved Samuel, the reformed pickpocket who is now Clara's footman. I loved his protectiveness toward Clara, and his growth into the position as Morgan took him under his wing. He was really sweet with Lucy, too.
I definitely want to read the other books in the series, especially the one about Juliet and Morgan's brother.
November 23, 2013
Romance between Lady Clara Stanbourne , spinster, and do gooder who runs the home for reformed pick pockets in spitalfeilds and Capt. Morgan Pryce(Blakley).
Morgan is working undercover in spitalfeilds set up in astore front but acting as a receiver of stolen goods, however his shop for this undercover operation is set up within a block of Clara's reform home.
Clara and Morgan first meet when she sees Morgan detaining one offer reformees and comes running to protect the child and her fierceness in doing so for Morgan only adds to her beauty, he is quite instantly attracted to her and over the course of the book he continually pushes her buttons and boundaries , but she does the same to him, he is in spitalfeilds trying to uncover and capture who the specter is and Clara just keeps putting herself in danger to spite his warnings to stay out of it.
The characters are really well developed so much do that I just wanted to lock Lady Clara in a room to prevent her meddling.both characters have their secrets and issues to work through which are revealed as you go and I was kept guessing who the pectr truly was till the end which actually added to keeping me intrested in the story.
Morgan is working undercover in spitalfeilds set up in astore front but acting as a receiver of stolen goods, however his shop for this undercover operation is set up within a block of Clara's reform home.
Clara and Morgan first meet when she sees Morgan detaining one offer reformees and comes running to protect the child and her fierceness in doing so for Morgan only adds to her beauty, he is quite instantly attracted to her and over the course of the book he continually pushes her buttons and boundaries , but she does the same to him, he is in spitalfeilds trying to uncover and capture who the specter is and Clara just keeps putting herself in danger to spite his warnings to stay out of it.
The characters are really well developed so much do that I just wanted to lock Lady Clara in a room to prevent her meddling.both characters have their secrets and issues to work through which are revealed as you go and I was kept guessing who the pectr truly was till the end which actually added to keeping me intrested in the story.
June 30, 2018
so..... it was a good book! the plot was nice, the H&h were interesting etc etc etc etc
BUT,
is it just me who thought that the ending was just a bit idk... like too easy...
BUT,
is it just me who thought that the ending was just a bit idk... like too easy...
February 2, 2021
2.50 / 3 Stars
HOOPLA audio: I borrowed all 5 audios within the series at one time and had 21 days to listen to them.
I did some skipping within the story, especially the scene at the ball when Morgan allows Clara to ask questions only if he can kiss and touch her. For each question he gives a short answer, but his drawn out fondling and kissing become tedious. It didn't take long before I rolled my eyes and skipped to the next chapter. Within the Swanlea Spinsters series the women are reckless with their reputation.
Favorite line: "If I die of boredom Captain, pray give me a good burial." This was said by one of the young female charges after Captain Morgan asked her to do him a favor.
HOOPLA audio: I borrowed all 5 audios within the series at one time and had 21 days to listen to them.
I did some skipping within the story, especially the scene at the ball when Morgan allows Clara to ask questions only if he can kiss and touch her. For each question he gives a short answer, but his drawn out fondling and kissing become tedious. It didn't take long before I rolled my eyes and skipped to the next chapter. Within the Swanlea Spinsters series the women are reckless with their reputation.
Favorite line: "If I die of boredom Captain, pray give me a good burial." This was said by one of the young female charges after Captain Morgan asked her to do him a favor.
June 13, 2022
This fourth book in the Swanlea Spinsters series was my least favorite so far. I didn't really get invested in either of the main characters. Even at the end of the last book when the real Morgan is introduced I didn't get much from him other than a rakish charmer. You do learn motivation and the Morgan and Clara's backstories but I just didn't really feel as much for them as I normally do. The plot and conflict were convoluted as usual and the pacing was fine. I just didn't really feel any sense of urgency to read the story or expect a great ending. It was just kind of meh for me.
December 11, 2018
This one is unfortunately really, really bordering on two stars. Definitely the worst one in the series so far for me. It started out quite interesting, but after the first half, I was almost bored to death - I didn't care about either of the main characters and that way, it's just hard to enjoy a romance book.
March 22, 2025
Unlikeable, pushy hero (former pirate-ish/criminal/orphan/secret child/spy)
Pushover heroine (high society spinster orphanage proprietress)
"Reformed" pick pocketing orphans.
Spooky crime lord in a hooded cloak.
Secondary romance.
Pushover heroine (high society spinster orphanage proprietress)
"Reformed" pick pocketing orphans.
Spooky crime lord in a hooded cloak.
Secondary romance.
September 15, 2017
3.5 stars
February 5, 2025
Het is oke. Niet super spannend. De hoofdstukken waren langdradig waardoor het boek niet makkelijk las.
March 31, 2025
3.7.
“Even a ship can become a prison if all you see around you are bars.”
“Even a ship can become a prison if all you see around you are bars.”
March 27, 2017
All of the official Swanlea Spinsters are already enjoying their HEA, but this book is a sequel to Book 3, about Juliet (spinster #3) and Sebastian Blakely, Lord Templemore. Sebastian has a twin brother, Morgan, from whom he was separated at birth.
While Sebastian grew up at the family estate in Shropshire with his cold father, Morgan was raised by his mother in the slums of Geneva. His mother took a succession of paramours to support herself and her son; when Morgan grew old enough to understand what was going on, he began working. When he couldn't find honest work, he took up pick-pocketing.
When his mother was dying, her brother came and took Morgan. He helped get Morgan into the Royal Navy. After that, Morgan began spying for the Home Office under Viscount Ravenswood. Now, he has been assigned to catching a criminal mastermind in Spitalfields, known as the Specter, and he has opened a shop there and is masquerading as a "fence" of stolen goods.
Lady Clara Stanbourne is a reformer who runs a home for reformed pick-pockets in Spitalfields. She is infuriated when Captain Pryce begins operating as a fence nearby, fearful that he will tempt "her children" back into crime.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. There is lots of spirited debate and witty banter between Clara and Morgan. Clara is an intelligent woman and most of the time her actions are smart ones. Morgan - well, he's hot. :D The conflict is reasonable and genuine - Clara cannot reconcile her feelings for a criminal; then she finds out he isn't really a criminal but a spy. Morgan knows he loves her, but an act in his past haunts him - and it's a real thing, not something just imagined. The loose ends are all neatly tied in the end.
4 stars.
While Sebastian grew up at the family estate in Shropshire with his cold father, Morgan was raised by his mother in the slums of Geneva. His mother took a succession of paramours to support herself and her son; when Morgan grew old enough to understand what was going on, he began working. When he couldn't find honest work, he took up pick-pocketing.
When his mother was dying, her brother came and took Morgan. He helped get Morgan into the Royal Navy. After that, Morgan began spying for the Home Office under Viscount Ravenswood. Now, he has been assigned to catching a criminal mastermind in Spitalfields, known as the Specter, and he has opened a shop there and is masquerading as a "fence" of stolen goods.
Lady Clara Stanbourne is a reformer who runs a home for reformed pick-pockets in Spitalfields. She is infuriated when Captain Pryce begins operating as a fence nearby, fearful that he will tempt "her children" back into crime.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. There is lots of spirited debate and witty banter between Clara and Morgan. Clara is an intelligent woman and most of the time her actions are smart ones. Morgan - well, he's hot. :D The conflict is reasonable and genuine - Clara cannot reconcile her feelings for a criminal; then she finds out he isn't really a criminal but a spy. Morgan knows he loves her, but an act in his past haunts him - and it's a real thing, not something just imagined. The loose ends are all neatly tied in the end.
4 stars.
April 9, 2016
Lady Clara Stanbourne reforms pickpockets. Morgan Pryce/Blakely has hired the building next door to buy stolen goods. EXCEPT EVERYTHING ISN'T WHAT IT SEEMS, which allows Clara to justify her burning loins. Morgan, meanwhile, angsts and bones and angsts some more before a final HEA.
1. I've read this before. I know I have.
2. The ending feels like a tacked on mess from a different book by a different author.
3. It was an entertaining little romp of a novel. I liked Clara and her intelligence; Morgan was a bundle of man-pain; the plot was a simplistic who-dunnit; but I didn't mind any of it? AHHH IT WAS MEDIOCRE AND I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY I AM SORRY.
1. I've read this before. I know I have.
2. The ending feels like a tacked on mess from a different book by a different author.
3. It was an entertaining little romp of a novel. I liked Clara and her intelligence; Morgan was a bundle of man-pain; the plot was a simplistic who-dunnit; but I didn't mind any of it? AHHH IT WAS MEDIOCRE AND I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY I AM SORRY.
March 21, 2016
If I fell easily for Sebastian, then I melted for Morgan.
They were brilliant. The premise of the story, the characters, the mystery, and those kids. All enticing and woven wonderfully together. I just love SJ's style and will read anything the woman writes...!!!
They were brilliant. The premise of the story, the characters, the mystery, and those kids. All enticing and woven wonderfully together. I just love SJ's style and will read anything the woman writes...!!!
March 12, 2022
Heroine: Lady Clara Stanbourne, 28. Daughter of a Marquess, both her parents are deceased. Runs a reform home for children (mainly poor, child thieves).
Hero: Captain Morgan Pryce, about 30. Also known as: Morgan Blakely. Identical twin of Sebastian Blakely, Lord Templemore.
Date: 1819
How they meet: Clara is on her way to the reform home she runs in a bad part of London when she sees one of her home’s children in an alley with Morgan. The boy holds a watch she assumes he pick-pocketed. Clara and Morgan have a curt exchange over the incident and Morgan makes an inappropriate, suggestive comment to her.
What happens: Clara learns Morgan is setting up a business in the neighborhood. While it sounds legitimate, after overhearing the boy talking about the encounter at the home, Clara suspects he may be buying and selling stolen goods. Not wanting her home’s children to be tempted she decides to try to put him out of business.
Verdict: This book is in a similar vein to the others in the series. The hero and heroine are at odds to begin with. Fortunately this time they don’t fight each other the whole book. There is a degree of understanding between them by about the half-way point. The non-romance plot is about London’s criminal element (not my favorite) and there are some child-centric parts (also not my favorite). Not a sweet romance, but a passionate one. This rating is more about my personal preferences as opposed to any flaws with the writing. Sabrina Jeffries quickly became a favorite author when I read The Hellions of Halstead Hall series, but this series has been just so-so for me. (Note: Book 5 in this series has more of the humor and gets away from the criminal element dealt with here.)
Steam-level: Some steam and explicit
Rating: 3 stars
Hero: Captain Morgan Pryce, about 30. Also known as: Morgan Blakely. Identical twin of Sebastian Blakely, Lord Templemore.
Date: 1819
How they meet: Clara is on her way to the reform home she runs in a bad part of London when she sees one of her home’s children in an alley with Morgan. The boy holds a watch she assumes he pick-pocketed. Clara and Morgan have a curt exchange over the incident and Morgan makes an inappropriate, suggestive comment to her.
What happens: Clara learns Morgan is setting up a business in the neighborhood. While it sounds legitimate, after overhearing the boy talking about the encounter at the home, Clara suspects he may be buying and selling stolen goods. Not wanting her home’s children to be tempted she decides to try to put him out of business.
Verdict: This book is in a similar vein to the others in the series. The hero and heroine are at odds to begin with. Fortunately this time they don’t fight each other the whole book. There is a degree of understanding between them by about the half-way point. The non-romance plot is about London’s criminal element (not my favorite) and there are some child-centric parts (also not my favorite). Not a sweet romance, but a passionate one. This rating is more about my personal preferences as opposed to any flaws with the writing. Sabrina Jeffries quickly became a favorite author when I read The Hellions of Halstead Hall series, but this series has been just so-so for me. (Note: Book 5 in this series has more of the humor and gets away from the criminal element dealt with here.)
Steam-level: Some steam and explicit
Rating: 3 stars
March 6, 2018
As I finish read it, Dance of Seduction, if seen from its romance aspect, I assure that it is no doubt deliver what it promises.
The characters growth, I can barely see it. Other than the obvious one such as Lady Clara forcing her way to know every little things Captain Morgan Pryce/Blakely doing in the name of trying to ensure her Home and its occupants will not stray to their old ways. But in this aspect, there barely anyone strays except the kid, Johnny but even he did not stray that far away so I kinda raise my eyebrows a bit high when she insisted to know more. Well, quite a curious lady she definitely is. As for Captain Morgan, he has quite a past and I rather not divulge in this. I have no any worrying concern about him. But this one particular character, Specter, I think. In this aspect relating to this character that I found a bit unsatisfactory about the book. Read spoiler only if you've read the book.
I care about this since if we took out this mission of Captain Morgan from being a fake fence in front of Home, this book will be just plain romance story isn't it? Anyway, I'll give this book a 3 out of 5 stars.
The characters growth, I can barely see it. Other than the obvious one such as Lady Clara forcing her way to know every little things Captain Morgan Pryce/Blakely doing in the name of trying to ensure her Home and its occupants will not stray to their old ways. But in this aspect, there barely anyone strays except the kid, Johnny but even he did not stray that far away so I kinda raise my eyebrows a bit high when she insisted to know more. Well, quite a curious lady she definitely is. As for Captain Morgan, he has quite a past and I rather not divulge in this. I have no any worrying concern about him. But this one particular character, Specter, I think. In this aspect relating to this character that I found a bit unsatisfactory about the book. Read spoiler only if you've read the book.
I care about this since if we took out this mission of Captain Morgan from being a fake fence in front of Home, this book will be just plain romance story isn't it? Anyway, I'll give this book a 3 out of 5 stars.
September 30, 2023
Lady Clara Stanbourne runs a home for reformed pickpockets and is understandably unimpressed when Morgan Pryce, a wannabe fence, sets up shop right next door. Morgan is bound to be a bad influence on her young charges, thus Clara is determined to run the handsome rogue out of Spitalfields. Whilst expecting this to be no easy task, Clara is more than a little surprised (and dare she say, thrilled) when Morgan threatens 'ravishment' as a means of keeping her at bay, especially as his promised 'ravishment' doesn't sound like much of a threat at all...
Morgan Pryce's dark past makes him the perfect candidate to bring down one of London's most notorious crime lords. What he didn't expect, nor need, is the bold and beautiful Lady Clara's close proximity, let alone her persistent interference. Now he must find a way to take down the Spector, whilst protecting his identity and keeping Clara and her charges safe in what becomes an increasingly dangerous game with surprising revelations, the most surprising concerning Morgan himself.
Another great read from Sabrina Jeffries, Dance of Seduction having just the right balance of passion and intrigue to hook the reader, keeping them enthralled right to the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me
Morgan Pryce's dark past makes him the perfect candidate to bring down one of London's most notorious crime lords. What he didn't expect, nor need, is the bold and beautiful Lady Clara's close proximity, let alone her persistent interference. Now he must find a way to take down the Spector, whilst protecting his identity and keeping Clara and her charges safe in what becomes an increasingly dangerous game with surprising revelations, the most surprising concerning Morgan himself.
Another great read from Sabrina Jeffries, Dance of Seduction having just the right balance of passion and intrigue to hook the reader, keeping them enthralled right to the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me
September 12, 2022
Morgan and Lady Clara are Exquisite
We 1st met Morgan Blakely in book 4 of the series, Sebastian's story. Morgan, who appears to be very capable of getting into a great deal of trouble, is Sebastian's identical twin brother. We get to follow along as he crosses paths Lady Clara during an undercover mission for the home office.
Tasked with stopping a mysterious crime lord, Morgan is running a shop in a very poor section of London. Unfortunately it's right next door to lady Clara's home for reformed child pickpockets. When a couple of her charges are lured back into the business of stealing things to sell to Morgan -- despite his best efforts to this way them from doing that Clara begins a crusade to get him to move.
Of course Morgan is attracted to lady Clara and her to him. So despite her best ever stand up working together. I enjoyed this tremendously. It is funny, sexy, it's just the right balance of action and romance. (And who doesn't love a reformed bad guy? Only Morgan really never was a bad guy. Just thought he was because of his undercover work....)
So read this and enjoy!
We 1st met Morgan Blakely in book 4 of the series, Sebastian's story. Morgan, who appears to be very capable of getting into a great deal of trouble, is Sebastian's identical twin brother. We get to follow along as he crosses paths Lady Clara during an undercover mission for the home office.
Tasked with stopping a mysterious crime lord, Morgan is running a shop in a very poor section of London. Unfortunately it's right next door to lady Clara's home for reformed child pickpockets. When a couple of her charges are lured back into the business of stealing things to sell to Morgan -- despite his best efforts to this way them from doing that Clara begins a crusade to get him to move.
Of course Morgan is attracted to lady Clara and her to him. So despite her best ever stand up working together. I enjoyed this tremendously. It is funny, sexy, it's just the right balance of action and romance. (And who doesn't love a reformed bad guy? Only Morgan really never was a bad guy. Just thought he was because of his undercover work....)
So read this and enjoy!
December 28, 2020
For some reason I liked this better than the first 3, maybe because the hero, Morgan Pryce wasn't as much as an annoying blockhead as the previous heros. We have learned some of his backstory in the previous books, and we learn the rest here. Clara is a reformer who has her own interesting family of Quakers on one side and scoundrels on the other. She runs a home for children who she is trying to stop from being pickpockets, sort of a reverse Fagan.
Morgan is working undercover as a fence, and of course angers Clara, who catches him buying a watch off of one of her boys. There are a lot of subplots and some exciting action, and a particularly happy ending. A little funny gag is Sebastian and Morgan are twins and at the end of the last book they challenged Sebastian's wife, Juliette to telling them apart. They gave her 3 tries, and of course she could in an instant. Well they challenged Clara and she said of course she could tell. It was quite adorably. One more to go.
Morgan is working undercover as a fence, and of course angers Clara, who catches him buying a watch off of one of her boys. There are a lot of subplots and some exciting action, and a particularly happy ending. A little funny gag is Sebastian and Morgan are twins and at the end of the last book they challenged Sebastian's wife, Juliette to telling them apart. They gave her 3 tries, and of course she could in an instant. Well they challenged Clara and she said of course she could tell. It was quite adorably. One more to go.
September 29, 2025
⭐ 4/5
This fourth book in the Swanlea Spinsters series was another fun and engaging read. I liked how the focus shifted onto Clara this time, and how her story unfolded with Morgan. Their romance had just the right mix of sweetness, sparks, and a few frustrating moments that kept me turning the pages.
What stood out to me most was Clara’s determination to give the children she cares for at the Home a better life. It added so much depth to her character and made her instantly admirable. On the other side, it was nice to get more insight into Morgan’s life prior to being reunited with his twin brother—it gave me a better understanding of his guarded nature and why he acted the way he did.
The pacing felt steady, and the chemistry between Clara and Morgan was undeniable. Overall, a solid and touching addition to the series! Each book adds a new layer to the sisters’ world, and now I’m especially eager to dive into the last Swanlea sister’s story.
This fourth book in the Swanlea Spinsters series was another fun and engaging read. I liked how the focus shifted onto Clara this time, and how her story unfolded with Morgan. Their romance had just the right mix of sweetness, sparks, and a few frustrating moments that kept me turning the pages.
What stood out to me most was Clara’s determination to give the children she cares for at the Home a better life. It added so much depth to her character and made her instantly admirable. On the other side, it was nice to get more insight into Morgan’s life prior to being reunited with his twin brother—it gave me a better understanding of his guarded nature and why he acted the way he did.
The pacing felt steady, and the chemistry between Clara and Morgan was undeniable. Overall, a solid and touching addition to the series! Each book adds a new layer to the sisters’ world, and now I’m especially eager to dive into the last Swanlea sister’s story.
January 7, 2021
This was a reread for me, having read it when it was first published. It was a gem from my keeper shelf, even better than the book that preceded it. Lady Clara is a philanthropist, operating a home for reformed child pickpockets in the slums of London. She is dismayed when a fence opens up a shop right across the street from the home in tempting range of her charges. Captain Morgan Pryce is the proprietor, there from the Home Office to catch an arch criminal. Morgan is the brother of Templemore from the previous book, his identical twin. Morgan was raised with his mother who left his father when Morgan was an infant. The mother fell on hard times and Morgan was a street thief himself to survive. Plenty of suspense and passion, a great reread for me.
January 21, 2018
It took me a little while to figure out how this related to the Swanlea Spinsters series. Well, to save you time-the hero in the story, Morgan, is the twin brother of the hero in the last book, Sebastian. He is married to Juliet, the youngest Swanlea Spinster. I really liked this story, because for the first time the heroine, Clara, actually tells the hero when she knows something that is crucial to solving the mystery and everyone's life. She is also honest about her feelings toward Morgan and tells him instead of agonizing for 50+ pages. Keep in mind that Sabrina Jeffries can string out a story until you find yourself skip, skip, skipping through most of it. Still recommending.
April 27, 2022
This is the last book in the "Swanlea Spinsters" series, and I quite enjoyed it. Morgan Pryce, the twin brother of Lord Templemore of "After the Abduction" is a fun, roguish type of character - the type that Sabrina Jeffries is good at portraying. Clara is very much a do-gooder, the type of character that almost always irritates me, but at least she's proven wrong at the end, which makes me happy. I hate it when self-righteous characters are proven right. Sometimes I wish that Jeffries would concentrate more on her characters than her plot, but it is still an entertaining book and worth reading.
May 4, 2025
A good continuation of a series. Morgan Pryce, Lord Templemore’s twin, is working undercover as a fence in Spitalfields to try to capture a criminal known as the Specter. Unfortunately, the fence he sets up is next to a home to reform pickpocket children run by Clara, a lady who does good works to try to make up for her rogue ancestors. Piqued that he sets up a fence next door to her home for children, Clara challenges him, and they both find themselves attracted to each other but reluctant to move forward and risk their hearts. Great plot development, nice character depth, good twists at the end.
March 27, 2024
Not my favorite of the series. There was a little too much “if you REALLY loved me you’d give up everything that is important to you” and “you say you love me, but you love your children more” from the male protagonist, which is just red flags all over the place. He gets over it by the end, but I just don’t find stories attractive where I’m mentally screaming “RUN! DON’T MARRY HIM!” to the female lead because of all the red flags.
June 26, 2021
historia de Clara y Morgan. Clara regenta una casa de acogida para reformar a carteristas. Morgan es un agente infiltrado en el barrio de la casa de Lady Clara para conseguir descubrir quien es el espectro.
August 26, 2024
Set in 1819 London in the Spitalfields district, where Lady Clara Stanbourne runs a home for reformed pickpockets.
When Morgan Pryce moves in next door, Clara becomes concerned about his reputation.
Morgan is undercover trying to find the identity of Specer, a notorious criminal.
When Morgan Pryce moves in next door, Clara becomes concerned about his reputation.
Morgan is undercover trying to find the identity of Specer, a notorious criminal.
July 7, 2025
I have only read 2 other books of Sabrina Jeffries but this was by far my favorite so far with the banter and storyline. The book was not anything to pull on the heartstrings but it was light reading with some spice.
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