Pamela Britton, Scandal

Scandal

Pamela Britton

Warner, Jul 2004, $5.99, 352 pp.

ISBN: 044661131X

The Duke of Wroxley never hid that he detested his nephew Charles Montgomery for taking his son and heir down a wastrel path filled with pranks. So when his son died and Charles became the heir, the Duke insured that the young man would prove worthy with a stipulation in his will. Charles must live in the St. Giles slum for one month without telling anyone or receiving outside help to inherit anything not entailed.

In 1819, Charles becomes the Duke and learns of the codicil when he is unceremoniously dumped in St. Giles. Almost immediately, he is knocked out cold by a kite owned by resident Anna Brooks, who takes the injured duke to recover for a few hours in her home. However, he wants to spend more than a few hours with the lovely intelligent Anna and her zany uncle; soon he wants a lifetime with his savior.

This is a fun tale due to the antics of Anna, inventor extraordinaire, and her wacky uncle. Dog lovers will agree with Charles' uncle that his nephew is a reprobate. Still to his credit, even as he realizes that he is clearly out of his element in the London slums, he is willing to remain there for a lifetime if it is with Anna. Regency readers will enjoy this fine fish out of sea tale.

Harriet Klausner