The fourth book in the Maiden Lane series focuses on Winter Makepeace, the manager and headmaster of the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children in the rough London neighborhood of St. Giles, and Lady Isabel Beckinhall, a young widow who wants to help with the home. Winter has no interest or ability in schmoozing with aristocrats, but Isabel convinces him that he must if he is to find wealthy patrons to help pay for the orphanage. She gives him dancing and etiquette lessons and takes him to the opera and balls in order to introduce him to London's high society. Meanwhile, the Harlequin Ghost of St. Giles, a vigilante who roams the streets at night to protect the innocent, is rescued by Isabel when he is injured, and everyone is desperate to know his identity. Will she be the first to find out, and, if so, will she tell?
Hoyt continues the series in grand fashion, pairing the dour and serious Winter with the vivacious and rich Isabel. She could easily have made both cartoon characters, but the author gives them depth through loss and disappointment. I especially liked Winter with his high ideals and willingness to sacrifice himself for the citizens of St. Giles, and he helps Isabel see what is truly important in life. I'll definitely be reading the next in the series. 367 pages.
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