A most worthy husband

A fake engagement animates Delacour's swoonworthy third Lucky Ladies of London Victorian romance (after A Lady's Guide to London). Debutante Hannah Williams, tired of her mother's matchmaking efforts, decides to ruin herself in spectacular fashion: with a reputation tarnished beyond repair, she'll be free to live as she pleases. So she pays the entirely unsuitable Silas Corbyn to publicly kiss her. Silas, who was dishonorably discharged from the navy and disinherited by his family, needs the money to achieve his dream of opening a brewery and is happy to oblige. Neither are expecting that Hannah's mother will then pressure them into marriage. The pair go along with the engagement, attending clothes fittings and dancing lessons, while secretly plotting their breakup. But as they spend more time together, love blossoms--only for Hannah's stern father to arrive in London and strongly disapprove of the match. A subplot about Hannah trying to save her parents' failing marriage adds depth to this sparkling tale. Add in plentiful humor, an insightful look at Victorian social strictures, and the rare historical romance hero who isn't obscenely wealthy, and this is a winner. (Dec.)

Hannah Williams has spent three seasons (and counting) doing everything she can to repel any eligible gentleman who might meet with her mother's approval. She's determined to avoid the seemingly inevitable misery of the society marriages around her and instead live an independent life in the countryside. Her final strategy for achieving a future of comfortable spinsterhood? A minor scandal. Getting caught kissing Silas Corbyn, a man of rough manners with rumors of wrongdoing in his past, should have provided just enough ruination, except Hannah's mother is determined to salvage the situation with an engagement. Now Hannah must bribe Silas to go along with the fake engagement until she can convince her parents that a spinster daughter is better than one stuck in a disreputable marriage. She's certain she can make them understand, despite her growing attraction to her faux fiancé and her own increasing doubts about the future she planned for. In her third "Lucky Ladies of London" book (after A Lady's Guide to London), Delacour features yet another bold woman who scorns tradition, although readers may struggle to reconcile Hannah's independence with her persistent naivete. VERDICT For fans of the series and those looking for a Victorian romance with a strong leading lady.--Meagan Day