Theo heads to Sallie’s, an upscale brothel where he hopes to find a ladybird who can speak Cockney - at least enough to give his father conniptions. Sallie, once she understands it isn’t sex Theo wants, has just the right woman in mind - Molly Sweet, the cook.

If there’s anything lower than a prostitute, it’s a servant in a brothel, no matter that Molly’s culinary skills are part of the reason Sallie’s establishment is doing so well. In any case, Molly agrees when she hears that Theo only wants companionship and will pay her fifty pounds, enough to help her realize her dream of owning an inn.

Plump, red-headed Molly and boyish Theo set out for his family home, only to be beset by a series of problems that force them to spend several nights on the road. Theo is impressed with Molly’s cheerfulness in the face of inconvenience, and finds he’s completely at ease with her. He’s puzzled by the sporadic Cockney accent, though; it’s as if she has to keep reminding herself to talk in a lowborn manner. Molly is equally at ease with Theo, and as their acquaintance deepens into friendship and then hints at more. She’s terrified of what he’ll think if the truth comes out - she’s no ladybird at all.

Honestly, when was the last time a Regency heroine worried about disappointing the hero because she wasn’t a prostitute?

Theo is forced to open his eyes about his father and his brother, while coming to terms with his growing feelings for Molly. His characterization is charming, all the more so because he’s slightly callow at the outset. By the end of the story, Theo has become a man, Molly has found a new sense of self-worth, and even Terrance may not be beyond hope.

Molly is refreshing. By not making her a standard Regency miss, the author was set free to make her independent, intelligent, and more free in her thoughts and speech. Not that she’s brash, but Molly can do things other heroines couldn’t, like be capable in the kitchen and businesslike in her dealings with cooks and housekeepers. It fits this story to a T. Theo is endearing in another way, as he drops the blind devotion to his brother and begins to see him as human, and even more valued. These are two rich characters.

A mystery about Molly’s parentage is a slight side plot, though her status as the orphaned daughter of a British military officer is completely plausible. It’s tantalizing without overwhelming the main plot, which is Theo’s and Molly’s deepening friendship.

Quirky, lighthearted, and just plain fun, A Proper Mistress is a breath of fresh air in the Regency genre. This one is definitely recommended.

--Cathy Sova