| MY LADY MISCHIEF is a frothy
confection of a book, focusing on the efforts of Lady Althea
Candler to avoid her father's matrimonial plans for her. Thea
and her friend, Emma Rawlings, are waiting to see which of them
will be asked to marry Charles Fossbinder, son of the local
squire. Neither is
in love with him. Emma
would accept him to please her family, and Thea would seize the
chance to stay close to home so that she can look after her
lonely, widowed father. Her
father objects to the match because, as the daughter of an earl,
Thea can certainly aim higher for a husband, and unbeknownst to
her, he has a suitable groom waiting in the wings.
Ms. Carmichael starts the action
immediately with a madcap romp through the parlor as Thea tries
to locate Uncle Egbert, only to be mistaken for a servant by an
elegant gentleman she encounters in the hall. William
Cavendar, Marquess of Hartingfield, cannot recall being so
amused; nor can he resist making advances toward this lively
young woman. The
fun continues as Hart again mistakes Thea's identity, and Thea
learns that this is the man her father would like her to marry. Charles's
announcement that he intends to propose to Emma causes Thea to
agree to a London season, with Emma accompanying her as her
companion.
There are many amusing scenes in MY LADY
MISCHIEF, particularly when Uncle Egbert puts in an appearance. The
relationship between Hart and his friend Mack adds substance to
the story, as does the friendly rivalry between the two fathers
and Thea's aunt. The
events involving Charles Fossbinder's inheritance of a title
give Thea a vulnerable side, saving her from being too sweet. Ms.
Carmichael adds a darker shade to her book in the form of the
determined Miss Cresswell and her matchmaking mama.
MY LADY MISCHIEF hums along briskly as Thea
leads Hart a merry chase, with the other characters tagging
along for the ride. Kathy
Carmichael's strength is her comedic timing, and she keeps her
story bubbling nicely as Hart tries to capture his ladylove's
hand and her heart. Thea
is headstrong miss, determined to marry for love, but uncertain
about her own judgment. Readers
may find Thea a trifle childish, but that naiveté is in keeping
with the character as drawn by Ms. Carmichael.
Hart is an extraordinarily patient hero, waiting for his
beloved to grow up and recognize the love they could have
together--if she would just learn to trust her feelings. Readers
are likely to enjoy following Hart and Thea along the rollicking
road to romance.
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