England, 1814

Colonel Horatio Tallwood-Smythe is serving in Paris with Wellington when he receives notice of the death of a distant relative. He reluctantly resigns his commission and returns to England to take up his duties as the sixth Viscount Wentworth. Along with the title, Horatio inherits a fortune -- his to keep, if he marries within one calendar year -- and the wardship of two eight-year-old twin girls. Oh, my! This is a man who never expected a title, and who has spent much of his thirty-six years in the army.

After six months on the London marriage mart, Horatio is bored with silly misses and their matchmaking mamas. There must be a more business-like way to find a wife. He instructs his solicitor to advertise for a lady willing to enter a marriage of convenience. In return, she can expect be treated with respect, given a generous allowance, an elegant home, servants, and to have no conjugal duties. (One can always set up a mistress for that.) Believing his problem solved, Horatio mounts his stallion and sets off for Surrey for a visit with his good friend Jonathan Kincaide. Nearing Barrister Hall, Horatio chances upon a pony cart blocking the way and begins to shout questions at the man bent over the pony's leg. Imagine his surprise when the man turns out to be an Amazon in men's clothes.

Miss Anabel Satterley donned her father's clothes to make her solo way to England from Egypt after her father disappeared, only to have most of her belongings stolen in London. She's on her way to the home of her best friend Marsipal, who is now Lady Kincaide, when her pony runs into trouble. Though a bit wary of her stern inquisitor with the powerful physique, Bella refuses to let him intimidate her. After a bit of brangling and her refusal of his aid, Bella marches toward Barrister Hall...and sprains her ankle on the rutted road. Horatio scoops up the woman he silently dubs Lady Bountiful and settles her in front of him on Porto. In short order, he becomes aroused, and the innocent Bella experiences hitherto unknown feelings. However, when they reach the Kincaides' manor, Horatio's hope that she is somehow fair game comes to naught.

This is only the beginning of a merry romp that involves three bride candidates, a conniving fortune hunter, mischievous twins, a map of Egyptian treasures, a most charming rakish earl, and a secondary romance. Poor Horatio and his plans for a business-like marriage with none of that romantic folderol! He's met his match in the voluptuous, innocent, six-foot Anabel, who had given up hope of marriage, and would certainly not put herself in the hands of a man without love. But what about the sexual tension crackling the air between them? That's part of the fun. I must say, though, that NEVER LET ME GO could use some judicious trimming. The prose can be weighed down at times with extraneous modifiers...like too many flounces on a gown.

However, if you like good stories about likeable characters, you'll want to read NEVER LET ME GO.

Jane Bowers