Library Journal
When the Duke of Littlefield reluctantly agrees to help with the London launching of the country daughter of his grandmother's schoolgirl friend, he thinks he is merely ensuring his inheritance; but to the surprise of everyone, including the arrogant duke, before the season is over, he also has his romantic future assured. This sweet Regency, written in the traditional style, features a charmingly naive heroine and a take-charge, elitist hero. Unfortunately, the story lacks a certain energy, and the chemistry between the hero and the heroine is not all it could be. Nevertheless, there are a number of affecting moments (e.g., the bathing of a stray dog by the mellowing hero) and the depiction of the tension between the "cits" (middle-class citizens) and the "quality" is aptly described. Rabe's previous titles include The Wedding Deception (Diamond, 1993). (Rabe lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington.)