It is never easy to live in the shadow of a great person. I had trouble living in the shadow of my sister and she was only great as a student. I couldn't imagine having to prove myself in the shadow of a legendary icon. Yet that is the situation of Will Scarlet, nephew of the legendary Robin of Loxley, aka Robin Hood, in What a Scoundrel Wants an historical romance by Carrie Lofty.

Working for the current Sheriff of Nottingham was probably not one of his best choices but it was better to work for him than to risk having Robin run him through for what happened at Loxley Manor. But now Will is caught up in some sort of conspiracy and facing possible charges for the murder of a nobleman. All he did was rescue a blind woman and everything he lived for changed in the space of a breath. If he can get the attractive but wholly annoying Meg to Nottingham to vouch for his innocence, he can walk away from this unexpected business. But fate, as usual, has its own plans.

Will is a stronger character than I've seen him presented before. I truly enjoyed reading his adventure. The title, What a Scoundrel Wants, does not do this man justice. I found Will Scarlet to be a gentleman, willing to do right by Meg, even when she had been not so honorable in her treatment of him.

Ms. Lofty has written an exciting account of what became of Will Scarlet beyond his adventures at the side of Robin Hood. He is presented now as an honorable man, though he has managed to steal once more. This time the trinket is the heart of Blind Meg. But is that not truly What a Scoundrel Wants?

Reviewed by MargeAnna Conrad
© March 2009