A Grand Deception is a reissue of a longer Regency novel from 1988--especially nice for those of us who weren't reading romance in 1988, because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to read this entertaining story of deception and romance. Even back then, when I'd convinced myself that the gothics I loved weren't dreaded romances, I'd have enjoyed this story of an intelligent young woman who wants more out of life than to make the best bargain she can on the Marriage Mart.

Georgy Verney runs away from home to escape the pressure to marry well to provide for her family, but not before meeting the season's most eligible bachelor, Anthony Maitland, Viscount Ivers. They immediately hit it off, finding in each other kindred spirits, but it doesn't occur to Georgy that Anthony is interested in more than just friendship with her.

When her brother Jeremy searches for her, he sees a young woman he believes to be Georgy. Instead, it's Peggy, whose father's been forcing her to steal. Jeremy cannot leave Peggy to her brute of a father, so he brings her home to his mother, who sees in Peggy's resemblance to Georgy a chance to keep the viscount on the hook until Georgy can be located.

What follows is a lively tale of secrets and intrigue and romance--keeping track of who knows which parts of the truth and who's guessed what keeps the reader turning the pages. Ironically, the deception brings out the truth in the characters, showing their strengths, and making them face & reevaluate their feelings. ( )