Review: The Lord and the Thief
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 2, 2012
Lord Benjamin Parker is a man on a mission.  He is determined to find out once and for all if he prefers men before the pesky London Social Season begins and his family starts throwing eligible females his way.For this experiment, Benjamin has chosen to visit a particular gaming hell (think private gambling club) that is friendly to men who prefer other men.  He will go in, find a likely man, and spend the night with him.  Easier said than done, but eventually Benjamin is struck with attraction by the man who sits at the gaming table next to him.  And the man is not indifferent to him either.  They wrap up their game and the man suggests they leave together.  Benjamin is all for it and allows the other man to take the lead.Cavin Fox is a professional thief and borderline manwhore.  He has survived because he is part of a gang of thieves.  His particular talent is to find rich men at the happening night places, seduce them and rob them.  On this night, he meets Benjamin and from the start, he is affected by the kindness and very nature of Benjamin.  Benjamin gives himself to Cavin in a way that no one ever has before.  Cavin will not steal from Benjamin and after the one night leaves because he wants so much to be with Benjamin even though he knows he cannot because of who they are.A twist of fate brings the two men together once more.  Benjamin has looked in vain for Cavin because he was so struck by how right things felt when they were together just that one time.  He is beyond thrilled when Cavin comes back to him, but soon discovers that Cavin is being secretive and refuses to stay with him.  Benjamin reluctantly lets him go, but promises that Cavin can come to him anytime and for any need.This promise brings Benjamin and Cavin more than they can both imagine and not all of it is good, but the potential for their future happiness is there if they want it bad enough.The story is novella length and takes place during the latter half of the Regency in London.  It is along the premise of forbidden romance and class difference between the lovers.  There is the added excitement that Cavin is a thief.  The description was good and the plot moved along at a good pace.  I only wish there had been a glimpse of Hale's reaction to Cavin's decision to leave him because I know the man would have been furious and dangerous in his anger to lose such a good thief.The gem of this story is the characters of Benjamin and Cavin.  Benjamin is one of the beautiful people- full of light, good and hope never really having to face adversity.  Cavin's life has been merely existence and he has had to scavenge for everything he has.  It is so special how these two men reach out for what they want.  Benjamin's character is almost too good to be true, but I liked him anyway because he saw the good in Cavin when no one of Benjamin's upbringing normally would.Recommend to those who love historical romance or m/m romance.I received my copy of the book from Net Galley.