The Duke and Lady Scandal

A plot to steal the Crown Jewels animates this rip-roaring Princes of London series launch from Carlyle (the Love on Holiday series). In 1896 London, Allie Prince holds down the fort at her family’s antique shop while her treasure-hunting relatives take off for an archaeological expedition in America. She’s disappointed to be stuck with this boring task and sure she’s missing out on all the adventure, until she overhears a group of thieves discussing their ambitious plans. She reports the conversation to Scotland Yard Det. Insp. Ben Drake, who’s skeptical of her claims but agrees to look into it. His investigation leads him to the dangerous underbelly of the city, where Allie turns up, determined to assist him. As they work together, their mutual attraction becomes impossible to ignore, but Ben fears that his sordid family history will prevent him from ever marrying. Carlyle makes her progressive leads perfectly matched: dogged detective Ben values Allie as his intellectual equal, and plucky bluestocking Allie loosens him up a bit. This is a promising start. Agent: Jill Marsal at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. (Apr.)