A wealthy widow by appearances, but in reality holding onto the last of her money which is bound up in a trade ship, Angelique, Countess of Devonshire, is not pleased to find her captain missing and a stranger standing on deck at Southwark docks. He's James Montgomery, a Scot just out of the Navy after Napoleon's defeat. Looking for a new career has brought him to examine the prospect of purchasing the trim little ship, but Angelique is determined that her independence will never be for sale.

MUCH ADO ABOUT JACK deftly entertains as Captain James then decides to pursue the lovely young widow. Angelique has already had a few short-lived romances and is quite the lady about town, finding the usual drawing-room fops who band around the Prince of Wales not to her liking. The self-possessed seaman is another matter. Angelique has more urgent concerns - like getting her ship under way for some better cargo than mouldy cotton, and dealing with her late husband's by-blow, who has just come to light in their country seat. She doesn't have time for a dalliance, and she's insulted by Prinny's supposition that she's easily available. A lady's reputation may still be ruined, and acknowledging a love-child is choice gossip.

I enjoyed the description of Carlton House, where the Regent lived and entertained his friends. There is a charming contrast with Angelique's house by the Severn, though I wish the characters hadn't heard cicadas, which don't live in Britain. A lad had to go to sea aged twelve to learn enough about three-masted ships to become a captain. James hasn't been in society because he's barely been on dry land. He's a good strong character and not dealing with a young miss, so the conventions are relaxed, as in the Strauss operetta 'The Merry Widow'.

MUCH ADO ABOUT JACK is the companion volume to one about Lady Arabella. The names Arabella and Angelique are too similar, with an Anthony and an Anton as well, and a good deal of time is taken with conversations between the two friends. While readers of the first book will enjoy the furtherance of that story, it detracts a little from Angelique's concerns. Trade is becoming important at this time as the wealthy are heavily taxed, and tension is introduced by a schemer who wants to force Angelique out of business.

MUCH ADO ABOUT JACK is a lively adult romance that will make many friends for its author Christy English, who was a Shakespearean actress and now involves the plays in her writing.