Evil is masquerading in the halls of Parliament, and Sir Bertrand Thorndike is tasked with investigating from the inside. With his new position as a member of the House of Commons, he has access to the power brokers of English government. His tactic is to listen and learn, careful not to reveal his true motives, and he’s quickly inducted into the mysterious Theban Club.

Miss Philippa Cashel’s mission, the Princess Charlotte Eleos School for Women in Need, is thriving with donations, and the students are learning skills to help them earn their livings in honorable ways. But when a dear friend’s past is revealed by blackmail, Philippa must wrestle with the question, Is it ever right to do the wrong thing?

Bertie’s and Philippa’s missions collide when Bertie uncovers a dangerous plot involving vulnerable women. He and Philippa join forces against the corruption threatening to topple England’s government, all while navigating their outward reputations and inward feelings for each other.Purchase Links: Amazon  |  Baker Book House  |  Christos  |  Kregel Parable

Now for our interview with Sir Bertrand.

CC: I’m so excited to get to introduce you to my readers. Would you mind telling them a little bit about yourself?

SBT: I suppose you could say I am the hero of the story, though it seems odd to consider myself such. I’m the second son of an earl, knighted by His Majesty for contributions to the kingdom, a newly elected Member of Parliament for the borough of Southwark. But my most important job is as an agent for the Crown.

CC: Oh you are most definitely a hero, and I’m so excited to spend some time with you. 

Since you are an agent for the Crown, what is it that you are searching for and what is standing in your way?

SBT: Currently, I want to discover and root out corruption in British politics. There is skullduggery afoot in the House of Commons, and I have been tasked by my supervisor to identify it and the culprits perpetrating it.

CC: I adore that word skullduggery, it’s such a perfect description of what troubles surround you. I don’t suspect you have much time to just relax and read a book, but IF you did, what would you pick up?

SBT: I mostly read the newspaper and the reports that come across my desk, though now that I am an MP, there seems to be nothing but reading! If I was to pick up a book there are a couple that are getting a lot of attention at the moment…written by “A Lady.” Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice seem intriguing. My supervisor’s wife has read them and highly approves.

CC: Ah yes. That “A Lady” is quite the writer, though I imagine the number of men who would say they enjoy her writing are far fewer than the women. LOL I assume that growing up to be an agent for the Crown wasn’t something you were aware of as a possibility. Was there anything else you ever wanted to be?

SBT: As the second son of an earl, my options were somewhat limited until I learned of the family business. I come from a long line of spies for the Crown. After I became aware of my heritage, there was no question but that I would join their ranks. Though before that time, when I was a boy, I dreamed of being a pirate, a soldier, and oddly enough, a pie man. When we would go to London, I loved buying a pie from a costermonger’s cart, and I thought if I became a pie man, I could have all the pies I wanted.

CC: LOL, oh if only we could eat all the pies we wanted, even as a constermonger. You sound like the typical boy, and I bet you were adored by your family.  Although things can change. How do you think others view you? 

SBT: Until recently, most would have viewed me as an idle dilletante who had a fondness for drink. This was a persona I cultivated in my work as a spy. People are less careful about what they say to someone they believe is sotted beyond what they will remember on the morrow. Very useful in my line of work. However, lately, I have been encouraged to clean up my reputation, stand for Parliament, and even to cast about for a wife. Neither of these personas are the ‘real me’ but they are what I present to the world. I am not bothered about what people think about these fictional characters I play. I find them a good way to keep people at a distance and from knowing the person behind the facade.

CC: Living a facade must get tiring though. I imagine you wish that one day there would be someone who would see you and love you for the real you. What do you think about love and marriage? IS there a particular woman you have in mind for a future?

SBT: If you had asked me a few months ago, I would have said love and marriage were fine for other people, but I was not tempted in the least. However, lately, there is one certain young lady who has caught my eye. It’s only too bad that she is even more averse to marriage than I was not long ago. Winning her would be an uphill battle for sure.

CC: Ah, but hard-won loves are the best in my opinion. I can’t wait to see how this uphill battle goes for you as you bring an end to all skullduggary and villains. LAST question, do you have any phobias? 

SBT: Heights, spiders, tight spaces, having to eat seafood…

About Erica Vetsch:

Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com and you can find her on Facebook at The Inspirational Regency Readers Group where she spends way too much time!

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