The last time I'd read this was more than 3 years ago and, even though I had forgotten the details, it had lodged in my brain as one of the most entertaining Recency romances I'd ever come across. Having just finished another of D.L. Carter's books and realized it was by the same author, I decided to go back and revisit this one.
What a marvelously unusual story. The heroine, Millicent Boarder, takes charge of her own fate (and that of her family) when her miserable cousin, Mr. Anthony North, dies in an influenza outbreak. She, her mother (Felicity) and two sisters (Mildred and Maude) have essentially been indentured servants of the brute since her father passed away three years ago and left them impoverished. Mr. North's death frees them in one respect but leaves them fearful of becoming homeless since Perceval North, his brother next in line to inherit, is even worse.
Being a plucky, intelligent 24-year-old who has been acting as her cousin's secretary for some time now, Millicent decides to assume his identity. She's described as uncommonly tall for a woman with a low contralto speaking voice and relatively flat chest. Thus, the body of the much-hated Mr. North is passed off and buried as Millicent, and Millicent becomes Mr. North. As far-fetched as it sounds so far, the storytelling explains, step by step, how all this is accomplished and makes it seem plausible. Millicent cuts her hair short, binds up her breasts, and wears loose-fitting man's clothing. As a further ruse to distract others from questioning her appearance, she pretends to be a dribble.. a rattle... a jokester. And this lady has the quick wit to pull it off.
The family relocates to Bath, and Millicent dutifully takes on the role of man of the family. She is far more conscientious in her responsibilities than the real Mr. North, and decides she must travel to another of his estates to tend to some tenant concerns there. On the way, she assists the passengers of a carriage accident on a muddy road. This leads to an otherwise unlikely friendship between "Mr. North" and Timothy Shoffer, Duke of Trolenfield.
Millicent is a fabulous protagonist. She's clever and funny and loves the freedom being a "man" gives her. Naturally, she suffers major pangs of lust around her good friend and hates that she must deceive him about her true identity.
Shoffer is a decent man who's trying to do his best for his sister Beth, but their grandmother has terrorized the poor girl. Lady Beth is only 17 years old and had one season in London, which did not go well. Shoffer doesn't know how to bring her out of her shell. Mr. North proves to have a magical effect by making her laugh at "his" silliness.
The story moves on at a fast pace from there. Both families end up in London, where Mr. North becomes the toast of the ton. Lady Beth has become good friends with Mr. North's "cousins," Mildred and Maude, and the three ladies enjoy sharing a London season together, with Shoffer and Mr. North as escorts.
Naturally, problems arise for everyone involved, not the least of which is when Millicent decides to take on yet another persona and Shoffer falls in love. I really couldn't see how the author was going to write the characters out of these tangled situations. The climactic scene and what follows immediately after is really inspired madness. Loved it!
The writing is engaging, creative and delightful. Be sure to read the dedication, which brought tears to my eyes. (God bless insightful teachers!) The rest of the book will have you laughing out loud, despite how "ridiculous" the story gets.
Note: For Mature readers. Sexual encounters without benefit of marriage.
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Top reviews from other countries
Chaitali Das
Can't believe this beautiful book is free!!
Reviewed in India on November 22, 2015
Gretel
Most amusing, clever and enjoyable Regency cross-dressing romp
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 7, 2015
