The Wedding Game
Jane Feather
Bantam, Apr 2004, $6.99
ISBN: 0553586203

A disguised Chastity Duncan, one of three sisters who anonymously write the controversial Mayfair Lady, serves as the matchmaking go-between since her two siblings got married (see THE BACHELOR LIST and THE BRIDE HUNT). Her current client is Dr. Douglas Farrell whose two stipulations in a bride is that she must be wealthy and provide social entrances so that he can gain rich customers for his new practice on Harley St. Chastity is disappointed in him, but consults with her sisters who accept him as a client.

Chastity plans to kill two males at one time. She will introduce Douglas to a very opinionated woman who believes that Italy is superior to London, wealthy Laura Della Luca. She will also present her depressed widower father to Laura's mom the Contessa. She admits to herself that her aversion to Douglas is because she detests his female requirements. Soon she falls in love with him, but fails to live up to her name as she finds Douglas' planned practice an abomination not realizing that Harley St. will fund his Earl Court practice for the poor.

The third and concluding Mayfair Lady tale, THE WEDDING GAME, is a terrific historical romance that stars another intelligent assertive female though she misconceives the motives of the hero. The story line is fun to follow as Chastity pushes Laura on Douglas, but wants him for herself though she despises what she believes he is going to do. Douglas is intrigued by Chastity but knows that Laura is the ticket for financing his efforts to help the poor. Jane Feather provides a fine novel that nicely complements its sister books.

Harriet Klausner