Miss Molly Robbins Designs a Seduction

Fresina’s latest Regency romance parallels the events of Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal. Molly Robbins jilts her intended at the altar and moves to London to design dresses for women of the ton. For capital, she goes to Mercy’s brother, Carver Danforthe, the Earl of Everscham, in whose house she lived for years as Mercy’s lady’s maid and best friend. Sleepy and hungover, Carver agrees to lend “Mouse” £200, even though her contract states “No Tomfollerie”—Molly knows he deserves his rakish reputation and doesn’t want him thinking he can request repayment in the form of sexual favors. The clever couturier succeeds with some surreptitious help from Danforthe, but her virtue proves more difficult to maintain as their every argument becomes part of a seduction. Fresina’s frothy style belies her ability to write multidimensional characters deserving of love. (Feb.)