Stella Cameron, Testing Miss Toogood

Testing Miss Toogood

Stella Cameron

Mira, Mar 2005, $7.50, 400 pp.

ISBN: 0778321487

In 1815, Reverend Toogood worries that he does not have enough money to provide dowries for his five daughters. To insure he does, he knows he must marry off the first one to a wealthy aristocrat, which will ease entry for the remaining foursome. He selects his second oldest child, Fleur as the best bet since she is the prettiest of his offspring.

Fleur detest her father's plan and is appalled to learn that her mother's friend, the Duchess of Granville, will sponsor her. She wants to marry for love not money so she will meet her sire's commitment of seeking a wealthy suitor, but refuses to wed for anything that excludes a deep love between her and her spouse. The Duchess drafts her son Dominic Elliot to escort the mouthy, opinionated rustic. He wants her gone as she interferes with his efforts to uncover the identity of who is abducting well-to-do women while she tries to learn what his great secret is, even as they fall in love with one another.

TESTING MISS TOOGOOD is a fine, Regency romance starring two likable lead protagonists who are attracted with one another, but show it with discord except in front of his mother. The storyline moves along two plots, the amusing dysfunctional romance and Dominic's tense undercover work to save young women from predators. Sub-genre readers will appreciate Stella Cameron's wonderful historical.

Harriet Klausner