Coming home on vacation Kit Fancot finds his twin is missing. Evelyn Fancot has arranged a marriage of convenience and is expected at his future-in-laws for dinner. To avoid embarrassment, Kit decides to take his brother’s place for the evening. Of course it is not just for one night, as Evelyn does not return and Kit is trapped by his lies. This results in the expected shenanigans and embarrassments. Kit is forced to spend an extended stay with the fiancee in his brother’s country house which leads to Kit falling in love with his twin’s intended. Things are further complicated by Kit’s ridiculous mother and irritating extended family, and the fact that as the younger twin he does not have as much to offer the woman he loves as would his brother.
Heyer’s romances usually fall into a combination in different measure of: humor/silly, mystery, or full-blown romance. This is one leans silly, complete with characters that you either want to ring their necks or find delightful (a Heyer specialty). The actual romance is slight but sweet. The mystery ie what did happen to the missing twin is given very little attention. The characters are funny, and the set-up is fun.
I enjoyed this one. It is not my favorite Heyer, but it is a fun, light read. If you have never read Heyer, be forewarned there is very little kissing and no on-page hanky-panky. Heyer is witty and an expert at complete and total happily-ever-afters, which is just the ticket to escape the horrors of present reality.
