Melanie Dickerson's A Spy's Devotion is a historical that is set in regency times. It's the story about a poor relation, a person who is financially dependent on extended family for their survival and well being. In this novel, the poor relation is Julia Grey, who lives with her Uncle Robert Wilhern, his wife, and daughter, Phoebe. Julia serves as Phoebe's companion, trying to restrain her cousin's impulsive behaviour towards an eligible gentleman, Mr. Nicholas Langdon. The entire Wilhern Family wants to help Phoebe get her heart's desire. Julia must also make a match soon so that she can avoid being cast off from the family to be a governess as soon as Phoebe gets married.
At a ball, Julia gets a chance to dance with Mr. Langdon, and she realizes that she could also develop an attraction towards this man. Not wanting to hurt her cousin or invite the displeasure of her aunt and uncle, Julia tries to keep her distance from him, but Mr. Langdon seems to single her out over her cousin. Julia reminded me of Elinor Dashwood from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, as she is quick to recognize the inappropriate displays of Phoebe's emotions. Like Elinor, Julia tries to hide her feelings for a man who she realizes must be unavailable to her because of the expectations of others.
Nicholas is on furlough, recovering from injuries that he sustained while fighting on the Peninsula, and had been expecting to rejoin his regiment soon. However, an important document to the War Office had been stolen from him which contained coded information about a war plot against the British. The primary suspects for the theft are Robert Wilhern and one of Julia's suitors, Mr. Edgerton, a man who Julia feels uncomfortable with. Nicholas' superiors want him to discover if Julia's uncle and Mr. Edgerton are responsible for the disappearance of the diary and whether they are guilty of treason. His leaders suggest that he take advantage of Phoebe's interest in him to get close enough to the Wilhern Family so that he can spy on them.
Nicholas is a man who has been burned by love in the past when his ex-fiancée jilted him to marry a wealthier older gentleman. However, he can't seem to keep his attention away from Julia. He's an honourable man who is a bit of a stickler for propriety; he refuses to dance with any female twice at a ball, not wanting to raise any woman's hopes unnecessarily. Somehow he manages to break his own rule and dances with Julia twice one evening, which earns Julia the ire of the entire Wilhern Family. Through his investigations of her uncle, he manages to spend time with her, even convincing her to spy on her own family on his behalf.
Will Nicholas be able to recover the missing document and apprehend the people who stole it? Will he enter into a relationship with Phoebe so that he can spy on the Wilhern Family more easily? Will Nicholas be able to complete his mission in another way and win Julia's heart? Will Julia be able to avoid marriage to Mr. Edgerton? Will she need to give up her hope for marriage and become a governess in order to survive?
As I mentioned before, the novel is set in regency times, but it feels more like what I'd call a historical. I feel that a typical regency romance usually tells the story of a light hearted romp with witticisms peppered throughout the tale. A Spy's Devotion feels more serious; however, it touches on a common theme that often appears in regencies: the necessity for members of the ton and gentry to attempt to make the best match for marriage, ideally to someone who has acceptable social connections and wealth, or face financial hardship. Other characteristics typical of regencies that appear in this story is the importance of maintaining a pristine reputation and avoiding compromising situations that could lead to social disgrace or ruin. Of course, A Spy's Devotion also contains espionage, treason and the possibility of invasion from Napoleon.
I didn't think that the characters experienced a lot of character growth. The plot unfolded and things happened to Nicholas and Julia that threatened to keep them apart. They prayed, but the prayers only reflected that they were people of faith. I found that A Spy's Devotion was more of a story in which I read to see what would happen next and to see whether Nicholas and Julia would get together in the end. Nevertheless, I found the novel enjoyable to read, and am glad to know of another author who writes Christian historicals.
Disclaimer: I was provided with an e-copy of A Spy's Devotion from NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
