My Lady Domino (Signet Regency Romance)

Rating:
Summary: Behind the mask . . .
Review: My Lady Domino should never have met Sir Mask. She had no business attending a Masquerade Ball. But then, before the sudden death of her father one year earlier, she would have received her own invitation to the Ball. So, when Adele Russell was busily delivering merchandise from her friend's haberdashers to the society ladies of Bath, and saw one of the treasured invitations on the street in front of her, she decided to take advantage of this bonus, and attend one--possibly last, at least for her--such function.

Of course, one of the first persons she encountered was her former fiancé, David Latimer, the Earl of Blaisdon. Even though he persisted in sharing a dance with her, and did not penetrate her disguise, still he took the time to warn her away from the dashing young man who had made sure to also have a dance with her--the intriguing, and unknown Sir Mask.

Five years ago, a sudden trip to India required David to leave Adele, with only a letter to advise her of his journey. The letter went astray, and the betrothal was broken. Now, the earl is the matrimonial target of Euphemia, the Marchioness of Heydon, who is daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Bellingham. It just so happens that at about the time David went off to India, the Duke's fortunes took a marvelous turn for the better, and his son, Rex, Lord Talbourne, will now have something more than an empty inheritance to anticipate.

These are the major players in this skillfully-woven tapestry of life in Regency England, particularly in Bath, which is so well-drawn, the reader is taken on a virtual tour of that ancient Roman city. The Pulteney Bridge, the Circus, the Royal Crescent, the Assembly Rooms, all play their parts as well as do the many multi-faceted characters.

You'll love Euphemia, who is one of those slightly over-the-top personalities who will make you laugh in spite of yourself as she labors mightily to capture David, all the while running Adele all over Bath on errands for the haberdashery. There is even the 'perfect' villain, Sir Frederick Repton, in the service of the Duke, who now has aspirations of a political career in his own right.

Sir Mask is eventually un-masked, the villain banished, and like all good theatre, all's well that end's well. It's the journey from opening curtain until final standing ovation that provides such satisfaction; in this instance, from the masterful pen of veteran Regency author Sandra Heath. First published in 1983, it's easy to see why it's been reprinted several times, and you'll think it well worth your effort to find your own copy.