The Magician's Ward by Patricia Wrede

 In this second adventure, Kim has become the ward of the young and handsome wizard, Richard Merrill. For the first time since she was orphaned as a four-year-old child, she feels safe and cared for. But her new life comes with a price.  Merrill's aunt is determined to turn the street rat into a proper lady. Kim has to go through hours of lessons on deportment and social visits when she would rather have magic lessons from Merrill. She is not disappointed, therefore, when she gets caught up in Merrill's investigation into some strange magical occurances in Kim's old neighborhood. Their enemy turns out to be more illusive and dangerous than even Merrill could have predicted, and it is up to Kim, with her street smarts, to save him and all of the Magicians in London.

This is a fun read, but I can tell that it is one of Ms Wrede's earlier books.  She got better at this genre and time period in the Sorcery and Cecilia series.  As I predicted in the review of the first book in the series, this book did turn out to be something of a My Fair Lady story. Althought Wrede made a good case for Kim's and Merrill's friendship, the sudden switch from friendship to romance was a bit abrupt and not super convincing.  The mystery elements of the book are little better, but I was a bit underwhelmed by the ending.  Still, I enjoyed the book well enough.  I do think, after doing a Wrede binge in June, I will take a break from her books for a while. (1997, 288)