The Montague Scandal

Backflap: The mysterious, handsome, and mocking Mr. Peter Grey warned Roselind against wanting to web Reginald Darnley, sought-after as Darnley might be. The enchantingly lovely, heartbreakingly tragic Maude Quimby warned Roselind against putting herself in Darnley's hands, generous as those hands could be. Roselind's own brother, Bertie, warned her against trading her freedom for a fortune, fabulous as that fortune certainly was. Even Roselind's own heart trembled with misgivings in Darnley's presence, no matter how polished his phrases and skillful his caresses. Forewarned should have been forearmed - but instead Roselind found herself defenseless against a man who might be a devil in disguise,...and maddeningely confused about a certain mysteriously irresistible gentleman who somehow simply would not leave her thoughts... It is very rare after having read hundreds of Regency's that I am not completely aware of the plot within the first 50 pages of a story. However, this book unfolds in a timely fashion without urging the reader to impatience. The mystery aspect is also interesting and there are only a few characters (including the missing Montague) that do not quite come up to scratch. Roselind's coming of age is absolutely correct and spot-on as is Mr. Grey's character. The secondary characters are slightly Dickensian but that adds to the mystery part. The writing is excellent and it's obvious that this is an older Regency. The ending is rather pat, but rewarding for all that.