The Wicked Godmother

Once again the infamous townhouse on Clarges Street is occupied for a season. Familiar from Chesney's two earlier Regency novels in the series A House for the Season, number 67 is rented by beautiful young Harriet Metcalf, whose charge is to get two 18-year-old heiresses sucessfully launched in the London ton. Instead, the country-mouse godmother finds herself being courted by a notorious rake, the Marquess of Huntingdon, and his equally flamboyant friend, Lord Veremuch to the annoyance of the spoiled twins. Harriet's attempts to proffer the girls' charms fail, and her own interests are aided by the eccentric and resourceful servants of Clarges Street. Chesney, author of the Six Sisters series, sets a lively tempo, moving admittedly familiar events and characters to a pleasingly predictable conclusion. (March 24)