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.
1. Vow to NEVER remarry 2. Own a
ship and become fabulously wealthy 3. Wear the latest
risqué fashions in your signature color 4. Do NOT have a
liaison at the Prince Regent's palace with a naval captain
whose broad shoulders and green eyes make you forget Rule
#1
Angelique Beauchamp, the widowed Countess of
Devonshire, has been twice burned by love, and she is
certain that no man will ever touch her heart again. But
that doesn't mean she can't indulge a little—and it would be
hard to find a more perfect dalliance than one with the
dashing Captain James Montgomery.
After a brief
torrid affair, James tries to forget Angelique and his
undeniable thirst for more. The luscious lady was quite
clear that their liaison was temporary. But for the first
time, the lure of the sea isn't powerful enough to keep him
away...
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