A Gentleman Never Keeps Score (Seducing the Sedgwicks #2)
By Cat Sebastian
ISBN: 9780062821584
320 Pages
Synopsis:
Once beloved by London's fashionable elite, Hartley Sedgwick has become a recluse after a spate of salacious gossip exposed his most-private secrets. Rarely venturing from the house whose inheritance is a daily reminder of his downfall, he’s captivated by the exceedingly handsome man who seeks to rob him.
Since retiring from the boxing ring, Sam Fox has made his pub, The Bell, into a haven for those in his Free Black community. But when his best friend Kate implores him to find and destroy a scandalously revealing painting of her, he agrees. Sam would do anything to protect those he loves, even if it means stealing from a wealthy gentleman. But when he encounters Hartley, he soon finds himself wanting to steal more than just a painting from the lovely, lonely man—he wants to steal his heart.
My Thoughts:
A Gentleman Never Keeps Score is the second installment in Seducing the Sedgwicks, Cat Sebastian's second M/M historical romance series. Hartley Sedgwick, the second of the series' titular Sedgwick brothers, is laying low in his London home after having been outed as having earned his status and possessions on his back, so to speak. From the time he was a teen, Hartley was coerced into a physical relationship with his wealthy godfather. He took it upon himself to get his siblings out of their bad upbringing situation by exchanging sexual favors for placements, obtaining the vicarage for the elder Benedict (as explored in It Takes Two to Tumble), a naval rank for his younger brother Will, and the London home and an allowance for himself.
Hartley sees what he did as a necessity and a controlled situation, but Sam Fox sees it for what it was - an innocent young boy was manipulated by a corrupt man. Sam Fox is a retired boxer and the proprietor of the pub The Bell. He works there alongside his brother Nick and Kate, his childhood friend and Nick's fiancée. Kate once allowed a scandalous painting of herself to be made in exchange for money that she dearly needed at the time. The artist? The very same corrupt godfather who exploited Hartley. Kate wants the painting reclaimed and destroyed before she is married, so she turns to Sam to help. Sam attempts to break into Hartley's house, believing it to still belong to his late godfather.
I particularly enjoyed how A Gentleman Never Keeps Score gives a glimpse of the lifestyle within the black community. Not a lot of regency era books cover this, and it is a significantly different experience than that you see reading books that focus on the ton and their bustling social calendars. None of the pivotal characters in this book are titled or have elevated social status and most of the action takes place in back alleys and more lively parts of town.
Aside from the core storylines about retrieving the painting and the scandal, A Gentleman Never Keeps Score had some interesting side themes. There was the mystery surrounding the location of the (multiple!) scandalous paintings, Kate's relationship with Nick, Sam's disputes with the racist local law enforcement, and pub related drama. Most significantly, you get a bit more insight into the drama with Will Sedgwick, which was alluded to in It takes Two to Tumble and will be more fully explored in the next book.
Another big part of the story was the interactions with Alfie, the only servant that did not leave Hartley after the scandal broke, and Sadie, a young girl in a difficult situation who comes to work at Hartley's house mid book. These characters are loyal, honest, and jovial despite what life has thrown at them. As far as side characters go, they are absolutely delightful. I would love to be able to read more about them and what happens to them after this tale ends.
After binging through five other Cat Sebastian books, with this one being read number six, I was afraid that I would get burnt out on the genre and the setting. But that's not what happened. I really liked reading A Gentleman Never Keeps Score. It brings different things to the table than the previous reads. But at the same time, it does have a similar feel to A Soldier's Scoundrel. If you liked Sebastian's introductory novel, you will equally enjoy this one, as I did.
Parent's Guide:
100% not for the kids! This book is adult in nature, with graphic sexual situations. Absolutely 18+
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