igh Carrick, Viscount Iverbrook returns to England from an extended stay in Jamaica after leanring of the deaths of his brother and sister-in-law from a fever. They left behind a five-year-old son named Peter, who is currently under the guardianship of his maternal aunt Selena Whitton. Hugh is furious at the idea of his heir living with a "passel of females" and decides to reclaim his heir. Hugh intends to install his nephew at Iver, where his mother is continually having spasms and his kind step-father is too busy raising pigs to notice much else. Hugh thinks he might sue Selena Whitton for custody and his devious lawyer puts the plan in motion before Hugh even meets his nephew. Selena has no patience and no time to deal with the high and mighty Lord Iverbrook, for she has a farm to run. When Hugh arrives at the Whittons he and Selena instantly clash over expectations for young Peter, but Hugh is soothed by Lady Whitton's refreshing lemonade with cooling borage flowers and Peter's charming conversation. It's clear to Hugh that Selena is in charge of the household and he must learn to get along with her if he wants access to his heir. Hugh sets about trying to relieve Selena of some of her most hated duties and finds himself enjoying the work as well as becoming good friends with Selena. Little Peter provides plenty of opportunity for bonding as his youthful spirits often land him in trouble and worry his older relatives. Hugh and Selena's romance is complicated by the beautiful Amabel Parcott, Lord Iverbrook's former mistress who is after his title. Furthermore, Aubrey Whitton, dandy and heir to Selena's late father arrives from the West Indies broke and hoping to make Selena his wife so he can inherit her property as well as her fortune and sponge off her. Also, Selena's romantic little sister Delia searches for a romance of her own. This is another of Dunn's typical light-hearted romances which can easily be read in one or two sittings. The character development is good, though not great. I admired Selena and fell a little bit in love with Hugh, once he lost his overbearing manner. I also liked Lady Whitton, the herbalist and it's obvious that her remedies are well-researched by the author. The secondary characters are as usual, amusing, but the comedic moments aren't quite as funny as some of her other books. The villains mostly work for their own gain from within the family party. The plot is a little too weak and contrived at times. A subplot about slavery makes this story stand out from the rest, in this otherwise mostly forgettable novel.
What do You think about Lord Iverbrook's Heir (1987)?
