Deborah Marchant has been a secluded widow for three years, mourning her captain husband
who was drowned near their home in Dorset. But when a letter comes from her brother Richard
telling of his ruin after allegedly stealing a necklace, she leaves for Bath post haste.
Fortunately, she has the help of her aunt Mrs. McNeil as well as somewhere to stay, but en
route she gets into a tangle with an arrogant man when their carriages almost collide. It
is hate at first sight on both sides, especially when it turns out that the man is Rowan
Sinclair, Duke of Gretton, a near neighbor.
This is an enjoyable tale where Deborah has to prove her brother’s innocence, while trying
not to fall in love with the Duke. I have only read one book by this author before (A
Christmas Courtship, also
reviewed on this site), but this author seems to specialize in plots where sisters defend
wrongly accused brothers. Nothing wrong with that, and plenty of plot and action are assured
as well as a good dose of romance. The backdrop to this tale is Bath, the ambience of which
is there and fitted seamlessly in with the story. Pump Room, Assembly Rooms, taking the waters
and a less frenzied high society make for a well realized setting and I was left thinking that
I had just experienced the right balance of romance, history and mystery. I’ll read another by
this author gladly.