Wedded in Scandal

Lee’s diverting historical suggests that while scandal may strip one of one’s title, breeding will out. Seamstress Mrs. Mortimer, aka Lady Helaine Talbott, has enough spunk and pure sex appeal to turn the head of Robert Percy, Viscount Redhill. Robert knows nothing of the tradeswoman’s family shame, but he recognizes class when he sees it; harder for him to accept is that a lady could have the wits or sense for business, much less love being a shopkeeper. Charming verbal fencing ensues, and Helaine matches Robert clever retort for clever retort. Soon it becomes clear that they’re meant for each other, but a marriage would be socially unacceptable, and Helaine fears her only choice is to become Robert’s mistress. The entertaining read is only slightly marred by a somewhat contrived ending. Agent: Pamela Harty, the Knight Agency. (Mar.)