Ask Me No Questions

This well-paced, tightly written third volume (after Had We Never Loved ) in Veryan's ``Jeweled Men'' series set in Georgian England, introduces an attractive young British widow, Ruth Allington, gamely attempting to support her twin nephews and maid after a family disgrace, engineered unbeknownst to her by the devilish League of Jeweled Men. An accomplished artist, Ruth becomes involved in the League's intrigues when a (brilliantly drawn) battle-ax of a noblewoman helps her find a position as an art restorer. Old Brian Chandler would not dream of hiring a young, attractive widow from a besmirched family, but careful half-truths gain Ruth the job. She soon wins her patron's friendship and, slowly, the admiration and love of his son, Gordon. Meanwhile, the League connives to acquire the Chandlers' gorgeous estate, as they have others, by insidious attacks on the family name, a scheme in which Ruth plays an unwitting part. In a less talented writer's hands, the numerous deceptions and obscurities would render this romance incredible, but fine characterizations and cunningly placed plot hints make it all work. Good use of period detail and dialect also distinguish this enjoyable addition to the genre. (Apr.)