What would it be like to have the ability to know the emotions and feelings of everyone around you? You could tell if they were lying to you, if they were feeling guilty about something, if they disliked you - if they desired you. Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook, has suffered this problem his entire life, and it's made him into something of a recluse. But he remembers a young woman he met in Macau years before, Leona Montgomery, who was somehow able to shield her thoughts and feelings from him.

Leona has made her way to London to try to set up some shipping deals for her late father's business, which her brother has now inherited. She also has a second mission: to find out who was intimidating her father and to expose the trade in opium involving various peers of England. When she meets the Marquess of Easterbrook, she discovers that the man she knew as Edmund in Macau is actually a titled Lord and perhaps one of those involved in the trade – especially as she suspects him of stealing her father's notebook.

As Christian and Leona get to know each other again, he begins a determined pursuit of her. Leona knows that she will need to return to Macau eventually, and that she's not the right sort of person for Christian anyway. In order to keep Leona safe, Christian will have to spend a great deal of time with her, and he may find he can't live without her calming influence on his life – even though his secrets may drive her away.

The Sins of Lord Easterbrook is another good novel by Madeline Hunter, with an original storyline and good pacing. Leona and Christian are slightly unusual characters: Christian uses his skills in seduction, as well as occasional imperious pronouncements, to get his own way, while Leona works doggedly to find out what really happened with her father. They both have issues to face. Overall, The Sins of Lord Easterbrook is an enjoyable read featuring interesting detail about the opium trade between England and China.