Bantam, $11.99, ISBN 978-0-553-569407
Historical Romance, 1995 (Reissue)
The tale of Mistress by Amanda Quick begins with our intrepid heroine, as per the author’s usual modus operandi, throwing caution to the wind and plunging headfirst into a predicament that would make even the most daring of damsels think twice. Naturally, her brilliant plan involves about as much forethought as a lemming’s cliff-diving strategy. One can’t help but wonder if Ms Quick’s heroines have a secret competition for who can court danger most creatively while remaining blissfully oblivious to the concept of self-preservation.
Picture this: Iphiginia Bright, a woman whose name is as subtle as a peacock in a henhouse, decides to embark on a scheme so audacious it would make even the most seasoned con artist raise an eyebrow. Our intrepid heroine, armed with nothing but moxie and a seemingly endless supply of chutzpah, concocts a plan to pose as the mistress of the supposedly deceased Earl of Masters.
Why, you ask? To solve a blackmail plot against her aunt, of course! Because nothing says “amateur detective” quite like pretending to be the paramour of one of England’s most powerful men.
Wait, there’s more! Just as Iphiginia is hitting her stride in the role of faux mistress, who should come striding back into London but the very-much-alive Earl himself, Marcus Valerius Cloud. Yes, that’s his real name. One can only assume his parents had a flair for the dramatic. Naturally, Marcus is a tad perplexed to find he’s acquired a mistress without his knowledge or consent.
What follows is a delightful dance of wits, with Iphiginia—described as “exuberant, independent, and intellectual” (read: a handful)—matching verbal swords with Marcus, a man who apparently combines the allure of a brooding alpha male with the charm of a nerdy astronomer obsessed with steam engines. It’s like Mr Darcy decided to moonlight as an amateur scientist.
Together, this unlikely duo not only generates enough witty banter to power a small village but also manages to solve the blackmail case. Because nothing says “true love” quite like catching criminals together. The story culminates in the promise of a happily ever after, complete with the assurance of multiple offspring, because what’s a historical romance without the guarantee of a well-populated nursery?
That being said, I must admit this particular installment comes tantalizingly close to recapturing the magic of Ms Quick’s “S” and “R” era. (We shall draw a veil over the “D” phase, much like one might tactfully ignore a distant relative’s regrettable tattoo choices.)
Our heroine here, who at 27 is older than the typical heroine by this author, shows a refreshing maturity, demonstrating an almost shocking amount of common sense… when the plot isn’t forcing her to make dubious decisions, that is. As for our hero, well, he’s cut from the same cloth as Ms Quick’s usual leading men, but his chemistry with our heroine crackles like a well-stoked fire on a chilly Regency evening.
However, I couldn’t suppress an audible groan when, inevitably, our lovebirds found themselves compromised. Really, Ms Quick? This plot device is as predictable as rain in London and about as fresh as week-old fish. Our dear couple deserved a more inspired path to romance than this well-worn shortcut to the altar.
Speaking of romance, the central love story unfolds with all the surprises of a connect-the-dots picture. Yet, it’s salvaged by moments of genuine poignancy between our leads. Picture, if you will, a moonlit garden where our hero, his gruff exterior softened by vulnerability, confesses his fears of inadequacy to our heroine. She, in turn, responds not with mere platitudes, but with a fierce defense of his worth that leaves them both a little breathless. It’s in these moments that Ms Quick reminds us why we keep coming back for more.
The supporting cast provides some entertainment, though they too feel like old acquaintances we’ve met at countless other Regency balls. They’re like comfortable slippers: pleasant enough, but hardly exciting.
In conclusion, Mistress stands as one of the author’s more entertaining offerings in recent memory. Yet, like a once-favorite dish that’s lost its savor, it leaves one wishing for a dash of novelty to truly rekindle the passion. Our main couple, charming as they are, deserve a fresher stage for their romance. And dare I say, so do we, the ever-faithful readers. Perhaps it’s time for Ms Quick to take a page from her heroines’ book and embark on a daring new adventure in storytelling?
