I Dared the Duke: A Wayward Wallflowers Novel

In Bennett’s passionate second Wayward Wallflowers historical (after My Brown-Eyed Earl), a very white, very wealthy 1818 London is the backdrop for a battle between Elizabeth Lacey and Alexander Savage, Duke of Blackshire. She’s his grandmother’s companion; he’s hunting for the person who arranged to poison him and sabotage his carriage. Above all, Alex wants his grandmother taken to safety until the plot is uncovered, but Elizabeth believes he just wants an inconvenient old lady out of his hair. Bennett weaves snarky and sexy scenes through the thin plot, and it’s entertaining if one doesn’t sweat the details. Elizabeth barely gives a thought to the consequences of unmarried, unprotected sex; “she trusted Alex” covers it. Evening dress is wash-and-wear: after they’re soaked to the skin on a stormy Thames crossing, their evening in Vauxhall is unaffected. Accurate period detail, in other words, is almost entirely lacking. But as a costume comedy of Venus and Mars, it’s a fun read. Agent: Helen Breitwieser, Cornerstone Literary. (Apr.)