Conkle's intense second Midnight Meeting historical (after Meet the Earl at Midnight) immerses the reader in Georgian London, where a wealthy businessman encounters a woman determined to be an independent business owner. Cyrus Ryland, England's "King of Commerce," is enthralled by the woman he finds in his study during a masked ball. Claire Mayhew has decided to copy Cyrus's signature and use it to lease a coffee shop, an arrangement not available to women. Then she escapes into the night, leaving behind a simple brown shoe. When Cyrus locates Claire, he is surprised by her tenacity and desire to retain independence. Their frequent meetings simmer with enticing foreplay as both Cyrus and Claire reveal their innermost secrets and must decide whether to build a future together. A mystery subplot adds an element of intrigue, and Conkle's eloquent writing makes every scene shine. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary Agency. (Apr.)