This Earl of Mine (Bow Street Bachelors #1)

Bateman’s scintillating first Bow Street Bachelors Regency is full of intense emotions and dramatic twists. Shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed, desperate to avoid marriage to her cousin Josiah, procures a husband, Benedict Wylde, from Newgate Prison, thinking she’s saving him from being transported to Australia. The two are hastily wed but have no plans to live as husband and wife. But Benedict is actually the younger son of the Earl of Morcott and has gone undercover at Newgate to track down a traitor. When Georgiana sees Benedict at a ball and discovers his true identity, the two must decide how to proceed with their marriage. Determining that divorce and annulment are not options, they decide upon a public courtship and public marriage ceremony, after which they can live apart. Attraction and friendship blossom between Benedict and Georgiana as they see each other at social gatherings, and soon she’s helping with his spy work, as well. Intelligent, affable characters make this fast-paced novel shine, especially for fans of clever women and the men who sincerely admire them. Future installments will be eagerly anticipated by Regency readers. (Oct.)