A Regency with a Bit of Sass
A murder mystery raises this Regency novel above the average comedy of manners and morals. In spite of the serious nature of a murder (this man refuses to die the first time he's struck), the story is fairly light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek.
Isabella Winslowe has developed her spunkiness from emulating her cherished, spinster Aunt Pithany. In fact, that is what Isabella wants for herself; a life without a husband, traveling within the ton, admired and free. She has taken under her wing a bevy of young ladies who are in the same situation she was in during her first Season. They bat their eyelashes and flash their fans without gracing the men who approach them with any look at their faces. Isabella knows this is why marriageable bachelors stay away; men dislike these behaviors.
One of her chicks is Lady Gretchen Colebrooke. In spite of the social taboo, she has a tryst in Isabella's garden with Boswell Throckmorton. When Isabella finds them, Gretchen is holding a cherub statuette and Throckmorton lies dead on the ground. Gretchen's brother, Lord Daniel Colebrooke, blames the whole matter on Isabella. In spite of their sparring, Isabella and Daniel join forces to protect Gretchen's reputation and try to find the murderer.
Much of the story is about Daniel and Isabella coming to grips with their attraction to each other. Each is convinced the other would be a poor marriage partner. This is a quick and charming read.
