Kate Noble, Follow My Lead

Follow My Lead

Kate Noble

Berkley, May 3 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9780425241516

In 1822 Winnifred Crane wants to join the male only historical society. She applies for membership based on authoring highly regarded papers and recognition of her accomplishments by several members. When she is rejected, Winn is upset and angry as she knows gender prejudice is why they said no. Winn decides she must prove her worth at a much greater level than a male would have to demonstrate. Her plan is to uncover the identity of an anonymous artist of a renowned painting.

Duke Jason Cummings seeks to escape the marriage minded bimbos and bimbo moms. When he learns Winn is traveling to Germany, Jason offers to accompany her to Dover. However, something happens and he is forced to join her as she crosses the Channel on to the continent. However, as they become friends and begin to fall in love, her fianc and others chase after them and both fear once she completes her quest, their relationship will also be completed.

The key to this entertaining late Regency is the romantic subplot is deftly developed so that wary associates become respectful friends before falling in love. The story line provides the audience with a charming Grand Tour, but it is Winn's enthusiasm and intelligence that fans will admire as Kate Noble affirms we have come a long way from early nineteenth century exclusion from academic societies due to gender.

Harriet Klausner