The Fortune-Hunters

by Carola Dunn

Book Overview

The Fortune-Hunters by Carola Dunn released on Oct 25, 1991 is available now for purchase.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 037331163X
• ISBN13: 9780373311637
• Release Date: November 1991
• Publisher: Harlequin Books
• Length: 218 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.

Customer Reviews

One of Dunn's strongest regencies.

Do you like Bath? Do you like stories about adventurers and adventuresses? You do? This book might be perfect for you. Matthew Walsingham, a man-about-town, has just been disowned by his uncle for a minor prank. Since he inherited virtually nothing from his father and he had run up debts based on his expectations, he now needs to make his fortune and/or find an heiress. Making his fortune - he is an amateur architect - will take time. Finding an heiress is more promising, as long as word does not get out about his disinheritance. So off goes Matthew to nearby Bath - with the aid and advice of his aunt (his crotchedy uncle's sister). He finds charming Miss Jessica Franklin, the sister of a wealthy North-Country baronet.We know what Matthew does not - Jessica is down in Bath looking for a rich husband herself. She and her brother are in desperate need of immediate cash. Her family leased the estate they have lived on for generations, from an ancient noble family (the Vanes, Earls of Darlington, later Dukes of Cleveland). Lord Darlington has had to sell some land, including their estate, and the new owner wants them off the land. He has an alternative. Jessica can marry him. She does not like him - he is nouveau riche and incredibly vulgar - and she prefers to try her marital luck in Bath (London is too dear). Her long-absent brother returns from the American campaign (War of 1812) and agrees to do a little wife-hunting on his own. Jessica puts up a good show, with their eccentric Roman-mad governess pretending to be their aunt. Enter a decidedly nouveau-riche (Cit) heiress whom Jessica takes in hand and shows how to dress properly. Enter a smarmy lord who takes an unexpected fancy to Jessica herself. Enter an old family friend, a client of Matthew (in his architectural practice) who is very troubled by Matthew's deception and who seems attracted to Jessica as well. What are Matthew and Jessica to do? And will they confess the truth to each other, and when?This was a delightful novel. The twists and turns kept me entertained, and I wondered seriously how the couple would get out of the tangles they had embroiled themselves in. Would Matthew's friend spill the beans? Would Jessica's brother, also troubled by the deception, confess all and too early or to the wrong person? There are three or so secondary romances (including one stealth romance) that entertain but do not detract from the romance between the hero and heroine. This book is highly recommended for those bored with the usual straight romance.Rated = 4.5 (A-)No breakdown provided, since I read this book some months back.