An Accidental Romance

A woman faces the disappointment of a delayed London Season in Tuft’s gentle sixth Jennings Family Regency romance (after The Dukes Meets His Match). Rebecca Jennings is looking forward to leaving her family home in Lincolnshire to make her London debut. But while taking a shortcut home across her neighbor’s property, the new landowner, Ben Fortescue, startles Rebecca, causing her to break her ankle and necessitating she postpone her trip. Ben feels guilty over contributing to Rebecca’s injury and begins frequently calling at Rebecca’s family home. As their friendship deepens, Ben reveals that he’s the Earl of Winton and opens up about his feelings of guilt and shame about his unhappy first marriage. As romance blooms, Rebecca is dismayed to learn that Ben’s unsure if or when he’ll be ready to marry again. With Rebecca’s ankle on the mend, Ben urges her to go to London and entertain other suitors. She agrees, but sends him an invitation to her coming-out ball, leaving Ben to decide if he’s ready to risk his heart. The chaste romance is enhanced by the simmering romantic tension between the leads and the colorful characters in Rebecca’s extended family. Historical romance fans looking for less explicit work will be well pleased. (Dec.)