A Gentleman Says “I Do”

The Brentwood brothers return in the contrived sequel to A Gentleman Never Tells. Renowned poet Sir Phillip Crisp has published “A Tale of Three Gentlemen,” which all of Society knows is about the Brentwood twins, Matson and Iverson, and Sir Randolph Gibson, the man they resemble but who is not their father. Thuggish Iverson believes the only way to stop gossip is with his fists, which he justifies as defending his mother’s honor. Catalina, Sir Phillip’s daughter and secret collaborator, is not scared of Iverson’s propensity for violence and challenges him repeatedly; her defiance charms Iverson right out of his anger. As they wait for Sir Phillip to return from his travels—first so Iverson can hit him, and later so Iverson can ask him for Catalina’s hand—they dutifully trade barbs and flirt. Readers will likewise long for Sir Phillip to come home so the book can end. (May)