A Most Worthy Husband

A fake engagement animates Delacour’s swoonworthy third Lucky Ladies of London Victorian romance (after A Lady’s Guide to London). Debutante Hannah Williams, tired of her mother’s matchmaking efforts, decides to ruin herself in spectacular fashion: with a reputation tarnished beyond repair, she’ll be free to live as she pleases. So she pays the entirely unsuitable Silas Corbyn to publicly kiss her. Silas, who was dishonorably discharged from the navy and disinherited by his family, needs the money to achieve his dream of opening a brewery and is happy to oblige. Neither are expecting that Hannah’s mother will then pressure them into marriage. The pair go along with the engagement, attending clothes fittings and dancing lessons, while secretly plotting their breakup. But as they spend more time together, love blossoms—only for Hannah’s stern father to arrive in London and strongly disapprove of the match. A subplot about Hannah trying to save her parents’ failing marriage adds depth to this sparkling tale. Add in plentiful humor, an insightful look at Victorian social strictures, and the rare historical romance hero who isn’t obscenely wealthy, and this is a winner. (Dec.)