As Luck Would Have It

As Luck Would Have It (2008) Alissa Johnson

Set in England in 811

Miss Sophie Everton has spent years overseas following the death of her mother and sister, but has decided to return to London to experience the Season. Unfortunately, the cousin her father left in charge of their properties and monies has not done a good job of such. So she takes on an offer to look into whether her cousin;s friends are involved in treason.

Alex, Duke of Rockeforte, has been working for the War Department, so when William Fletcher asks him to look into the circumstances around a newly arrived young woman (and if her cousin has been involved in treason).

Alex stopped and glanced down at his feet. He couldn’t help it. Surely to God there was some visible evidence of the hole he was digging himself into. “You must understand, I had a duty—”

“A duty,” she repeated ominously.

How deep was it now? Three feet, maybe four?

I do like Sophie.

Sophie was inordinately pleased that her food arrived just then. Grabbing a scone, she took the very largest bite she could manage without embarrassing herself, or choking. Mrs. Summers set down her teacup and waited quite pointedly for a response. And waited . . . and waited . . .

“Eventually, Sophie, you will have to swallow.”

“Good Lord, you are a natural-born barrister.”

“Yes, becoming a barrister was my second choice after ambassador. Sadly, both professions remain elusive to me.

Alex is fine, but I really like Sophie. I also enjoy the secondary characters in the story, each of whom has their own distinct personality.

“Men who dance with the least popular girls do so for one of two reasons. The first being that they are compassionate enough to realize that every young girl longs to dance, even if she is trying her utmost to appear disinterested. Those are the very best and sadly, rarest, of gentlemen. The second reason gentlemen dance with wallflowers is because their mothers have pressured them into that particular act of chivalry, and there is much to be said for a young gentleman who will dance with a wallflower just to please his mama.”

There is also a delightful scene towards the end of the book, where a criminal gets his comeuppance from the ruffians he has hired.

The portly man was struck dumb for a moment with shock and fury. Finally, he found his voice and began bellowing. “You’re common criminals, thieves, murderers—!”

“I ain’t newer killed no one in my life,” the first man stated promptly.

“I have,” Sam admitted sadly. “But it were in the army. I suspect the good Lord might see fit to forgive me for it, if I spend my days repentin’ for what I done.”

The first man gave his friend a reassuring pat on the back. “True enough, Sam, true enough.” He turned a hard eye on the portly man. “He can’t rightly maul a girl and atone for what he done at the same time, now can he?”

“You kidnapped her!”

“Aye, we did,” Sam replied in that same resigned tone. “Got mouths to feed at home, don’t we? ‘Spect God’ll see fit to forgive me that too.”

“Some of those mouths be wives,” the first man commented pointedly.

“And daughters,” Sam added, “and sisters.”

That whole scene is delightful.

To be clear, the premise and machinations behind everything the two are thrust into is completely and utterly ridiculous. But it’s so fun and amusing I don’t care in the least.
Rating: 7.5/10

Published by Stonesong Digital

• Browse the archives:
  
• Tempting Fate » »
• « « A Study In Scarlet Women