Never Seduce a Scoundrel
Sabrina Jeffries
Pocket, Mar 2006, $6.99, 384 pp.
ISBN: 1416516085

Wealthy heiress Lady Charlotte eloped with handsome charming soldier Jimmy Harris, but quickly regretted her choice, as he wasted her fortune and showed no interest in her once he controlled her money. She felt relief when he was killed in a duel, and vowed to protect other rich ladies from marrying gold diggers. Thus with the help of Cousin Michael, she establishes Mrs. Harris' School for Young Ladies that accepts only heiresses as students, so that she can provide them with private instructions.

In 1818 in London Mrs. Harris chaperone's wealthy heiress Lady Amelia Plume, who has plenty of admirers, but to her protector they all seem more interested with the lass' money as a horde of fortune hunting fops plague the balls. Amelia finds her season boring, as Mrs. Harris rejects most males. That is tedious until American Major Lucas Winter arrogantly courts her over Mrs. Harris' objection, as she assumes the Yank is a fortune hunter. Amelia thinks he has a different motive, but not love at first sight. She vows to uncover his agenda, while he seeks an embezzler who left Lucas' reputation in ruins, and he believes she is the link.

The opening of a new regency series by talented Sabrina Jeffries will elate the sub-genre faithful, especially since NEVER SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL is a terrific tale. Amelia is a na ve, innocent, and bold individual, while Lucas is a fascinating character planning to seduce the truth from her, but soon finds he has been seduced by love. Mrs. Harris is an ideal support character, who hopefully will have her story told.