Pistols at Dawn

By Michèle Ann Young

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This Regency romance begins in Hyde Park as a duel is about to be fought. But Michael Yelverton is not defending the honor of a lady; instead, he is looking for an easy way out. Unfortunately, his opponent, the scandalous Simon, Earl of Travis, cannot bring himself to shoot the obviously drunken Michael, so he fires away from the target. Having escaped an honorable death, Yelverton takes the coward’s way out and shoots himself just as his sister, Victoria, comes racing across the field. Simon, blamed for the suicide, decides to take on Yelverton’s responsibilities as well as his debts and property acquired at the gaming tables. Victoria becomes Simon’s ward, and his very respectable aunt sponsors her coming-out. Predictably, there is a romance between Victoria and Simon. However, both have agendas that preclude any involvement, and the rest of the novel is spent sorting them out to a happily-ever-after ending. This is Young’s first published novel, and as such, it is creditable if not outstanding. There are inconsistencies that are confusing at times, but if you like your Regencies with intrigue, it’s a good book to take to the beach.