Engaged to the Earl

The beguiling fourth installment of Berne’s Penhallow Dynasty series (after The Bride Takes a Groom) is full of witty banter and sweet romance. While staying with the Duchess of Egremont in 1818 London, Gwendolyn Penhallow meets and becomes engaged to Julian, the handsome Earl of Westenbury, believing him to be “the most wonderful man in the world.” Gwendolyn and Julian enjoy balls and outings together as a betrothed couple, but when Julian first kisses her, Gwendolyn is left oddly cold, and hilariously analyzes the mechanics of the moment (“Tongues were rather odd, once you started thinking about them”) rather than giving into it. When Christopher Beck, Gwendolyn’s childhood neighbor, arrives in London, they rekindle their friendship, and Gwendolyn asks Christopher to kiss her as a point of comparison. Despite Christopher’s attraction to Gwendolyn, his sense of honor prevents him from complying. But as Gwendolyn questions her relationship with Julian, she and Christopher grow ever closer. This expertly plotted love story is a must-read for Regency fans. Agent: Cheryl Pientka, Jill Grinberg Literary Management. (Mar.)