Never Rescue a Rogue (The Merriwell Sisters, 2)
1826. Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair both have secrets. Behind the façade of a mere copy editor, she is a tenacious investigative reporter; he is not a wastrel, but deeply concerned about those who depend upon him. And though their friends feel they would suit each other despite their constant bickering, neither is interested in marriage. When he suddenly inherits the dukedom upon the death of his callous father, he hopes to help the tenants, but his plans are disrupted when his nasty uncle turns up, threatening to reveal that Giles is, in fact, illegitimate. He appeals to Diana for help; but will the evidence they seek confirm or disprove the accusation?
As in Much Ado About Nothing, the insults which the protagonists trade conceal a growing attraction and protective feelings for each other. The truth of Giles’s birth is not unexpected, the threats are disposed of rather conveniently, and at the end the various elements of the plot are tied up with the suddenness of comic farce. Nevertheless, the interaction between the characters is lively, the ironic interplay impressive, and the insights into the abuses that men of power inflict upon the vulnerable, particularly women, are timely. Recommended.
