Lord Perfect

February 20, 2006
In the crowded field of Regency romances, Chase's work (The Lion's Daughter
) is distinguished by its ironic tone, witty writing and narrative drive; her latest is no exception. Benedict Carsington, the Viscount Rathbourne, has the reputation of a perfect gentleman, which in 1821 London society means controlled, haughty and above reproach. By contrast, Bathsheba Wingate is about as disreputable as a Wingate gets, having been born to the notorious DeLucey branch of the family, a "completely untrustworthy" bunch who have "made themselves famous for their scandals." Widowed by a disinherited man, Bathsheba struggles to make ends meet and to provide every opportunity for her strong-willed daughter, Olivia—who, much to her mother's dismay, absconds in search of buried treasure, accompanied by Benedict's nephew and informal ward. Drawn to each other from the moment they meet, Bathsheba and Benedict strive to suppress their desires as they chase the little rascals right into the pristine stronghold of the disapproving Wingates. Readers will relish the loosening of Benedict's perfect control and the endearing, dry humor with which he and Bathsheba confront their inevitable downfall—as well as their satisfying redemption.

Starred review from February 15, 2006
When young Olivia Wingate bashes 13-year-old Peregrine Dalmay, Earl of Lisle, over the head because he tells her girls can't be knights, the fallout for their families is hilarious, wonderfully romantic, and socially disastrous as the infamous Bathsheba WinB-gate and the impeccably -perfect - Lord Rathbourne are forced to chase their treasure-seeking charges across the countryside, with potentially scandalous results. A complex backstory, an abundance of well-developed secondary characters, and a plot that has an expected but welcome twist add depth to this more than typical Regency romp. Another winner from Chase ("Mr. Impossible").

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 1, 2006
Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne, is in perfect control of his life until he meets Bathsheba, one of the "Dreadful DeLuceys." One encounter with the lovely widow, and he begins to wonder if his life is not so much perfect as boring. Benedict is certain that he can resist becoming involved with her, but he soon finds himself hiring Bathsheba to teach drawing to his nephew, Peregrine Dalmay. Then Bathsheba's impetuous daughter, Olivia, convinces Peregrine to join her quest to find the DeLucey family pirate treasure, forcing Benedict to become even more entangled with Bathsheba. As the two set off across England to retrieve the wayward young fortune hunters, Benedict is forced to admit that he is not as immune to the tart-tongued Bathsheba as he would like to think. With its splendidly original characters, exquisitely sensual romance, and wonderfully witty writing, the third of RITA Award-winning Chase's fabulous historical Regencies to feature the romantic comeuppance of one of the Carsington men is simply perfect.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)