Lady Hermione Merryhew is an unwilling heroine when, in 1871, a stranger enters her Lancashire inn bedroom where children are sleeping. Her life has suddenly become TOO DANGEROUS FOR A LADY. Hermione has been musing on the possibility of being trapped in marriage with a distant cousin who inherited her father's land. The land was useless for farming, so her family seemed well rid of it. Now however the sober new marquis Porteous Merryhew has discovered a wealth of coal, the newly valuable fuel. Can she afford to refuse his suit, just a governess to her sister's children?

The intruder seems like a stranger, but Hermione gradually places him as a Lieutenant Thayne whom she'd met at a ball prior to one of Wellington's campaigns. Her brother was killed in the Napoleonic Wars. She has no idea why this intruder, who admits to stealing papers and says he needs to remain hidden overnight, doesn't strike her as threatening. He even allows her to tie him up. What might a refined lady do with a bound gentleman?

The social conditions of the day are deftly drawn in to the motivations of the characters. Britain is in turmoil, with new industrial cities enriching a few and employing many more at poor wages in bleak conditions. Reform for a more equitable society is being promoted, but Lieutenant Mark Thayne is determined to protect all the nobility from a French style revolution. Other nice details include Hermione's light travelling corset, which she can tie and loose herself, so no maid is required. There's lots of intelligent humour in her dalliance with the lieutenant.

With plots afoot, and honest working men tired of being unable to feed their families, the air becomes thick with hostility and mobs gather at crossroads. This stirring story of a dangerous journey on the Manchester to London road is full of realism and character. Hermione arms herself with a dagger. Her heart is in danger of being lost to Mark, but her physical self needs protection too.

I am highly impressed by the research and attention to detail which has gone into creating TOO DANGEROUS FOR A LADY. Jo Beverly has splendidly shown that antiterrorism was a very real necessity in Britain at this time, with the Riot Act being read to quell crowds, returned soldiers left jobless, no political representation for the working class and new inventions appearing daily. This book can be read perfectly well as a standalone but it is well down a series called so clearly everyone who enjoys this splendid tale has a treat in store as they can explore the previous adventures and romances. TOO DANGEROUS FOR A LADY is suitable for young adult readers as well as adults, with some language that was strong at the time and some instances of violence. It's tremendous fun.