THE DUCHESS OF VIDAL

Dominique Forrester (nÉe de la Fôret), nobly born but penniless, has dyed her hair black in hopes of hiding her charms and has gone to hire out as a governess in York--where her employer fails to meet her coach, leaving her stranded. As there is no room at the inn, she must accept a ride to the next town with a passing gentleman. A terrible storm, their carriage overturns, and they are forced to spend the night together in a nearby cottage (circumspectly, of course). Much backchat follows. Though the gent in the scandalous, loaded Duke of Vidal, he doesn't touch Dominique; instead, he finds himself intrigued by her beauty, her mysterious past, and her go-to-hell line of patter. When it transpires that their night together has ruined her rep and chance of employment, he insists upon marrying her for reparation. The rest--how they come to love one another, how she is the toast of London society, and the various attempts upon her life by. wicked relations--may be taken as read. Though an excess of period slang may leave the reader ""moped,"" this is a spirited entry into the Regency romance sweepstakes, with more pizazz than some better-known runners.