‘Mama says you are dangerous’…
…so declares the scheming young thing to confirmed rake Lord Deben on the darkened terrace. Burrows’ opening salvo has Henrietta Gibson rescuing Lord Deben from a determined debutante’s attempt to entrap him into marriage. A hidden witness, Henrietta turns the young woman’s story into one of a ‘slight’ mishap easily misunderstood. Marriage for Lord Deben is averted. Henrietta’s charitable act towards the notorious rake makes her a target for the disgruntled pair and she teeters on the brink social disaster. Twenty-two and experiencing the London social scene, Henrietta is a likeable character. Lord Deben is charming and misunderstood. Never Trust a Rake by Annie Burrows is a fascinating Regency romp with which to while away an afternoon. A NetGalley ARC