Unveiled

Historical goofs mar this otherwise compelling Victorian romance. Ash Turner becomes heir to the dukedom of Parford after uncovering evidence that the current duke's children, Ash's distant cousins, are illegitimate. Among the suddenly disinherited is the beautiful Lady Margaret Dalrymple, now shunned by society. Ash has no idea that the dying duke's beautiful nurse is actually Margaret, set to spy on Ash and collect material to support her brothers' countersuit for a decree of legitimacy. Instantly attracted to almost impossibly kind and charismatic Ash, Margaret is torn between newfound love and loyalty to her boorish brothers. While the love story is genuinely satisfying and Margaret's dilemma movingly portrayed, Milan (Proof by Seduction) leaves Ash's complex relationship with his brothers unresolved--perhaps to be explored further in sequels--and makes the conflict dependent on the unlikely scenario of Parliament legitimizing a bigamist's bastards, fatally marring an otherwise promising novel. (Feb.)