An Improper Widow
by Kate Moore

Rated 3.5
Copyright 1995
Reviewed 8/3/97 by Isolde Wehr

Francis William Arden, 4th Marquess of Warne is looking for a wife. Not one of the young society beauties ... he is looking for someone special.

Juliet Laca and her cousin Susannah come to London to find a husband for Juliet. Susannah, self-appointed widow, (because she was ruined years ago) should be able to find the right man for her cousin. Any one of the men on Juliet's fathers list or another should be quite acceptable.

On their trip to London they are attacked by a robber. Because he can recite Shakespeare, has good behavior, and protects them from other robbers, Juliet falls in love with him. He gives her a visiting card with the name of the Marquess of Warne and under that he writes "with recommendations from my father." Juliet's mother spreads in London that they meet the Marquess son.

Warne is looking for the mysterious man who has distributed his visiting cards. He meets Juliet and Susannah. Juliet does not want to betray the young man. Therefore, Warne wants to get information about him from Susannah.

Soon they fall in love, but there is still the secret about Susannah's situation of being a widow and who is the young man? Can he be a son of the Marquess?

Harmless action with no surprises but nevertheless an enjoyable read for Regency fans.