Why Earls Fall in Love

Collins’s second Wicked Widows installment (after Why Dukes Say “I Do”) highlights sparkling romance amid mystery. In Regency England, Bath is still a relatively fashionable spa location. Poor, widowed Mrs. Georgina Mowbray is residing there as a companion to the elderly Lady Russell. Georgina’s previously unfavorable opinion of Lady Russell’s nephew, the Earl of Coniston, evolves into feelings of admiration as she slowly realizes that Con is as kind as her deceased husband, Robert, was abusive. She enlists his help in learning the identity of the man who has been standing outside her window at night—a man who looks just like Robert. The mystery deepens as the body count rises, and Con soon develops protective and affectionate feelings for Georgina. While their mutual attraction culminates in a delicious love scene, most of the focus is on the mystery. Readers will admire the very affable Georgina, who always finds a way to persevere despite abuse and poverty. Agent: Holly Root, Waxman Leavell Agency. (Feb.)