The Marquis and I

Quinn’s smart fourth Worthingtons Regency romance (after It Started with a Kiss) continues the tale of the Worthingtons’ first society season. When Lady Charlotte Carpenter is kidnapped by someone who plans to sell her to a client of the cunning madam Miss Betsy, Constantine, Marquis of Kenilworth, is the only one on hand to assist her. A carriage chase out of London and a dashing rescue from an inn arouse their passions, but the moment Charlotte discovers her companion is a man notorious for keeping mistresses, she is committed to a low opinion of him—even when the compromising situation surrounding her kidnapping forces them to claim that they’re betrothed. Constantine’s dedicated respect for her and thoughtful reflection when challenged show her that he’s more than a man who pays for women, and that marrying him wouldn’t be so bad. This installment is more tightly plotted than some earlier ones and full of payoffs for longtime readers while welcoming the new. Agent: Deirdre Knight and Janna Bonikowski, Knight Agency. (Mar.)