Friends and Foes by Sarah Eden

 Philip Jonquil, Earl of Lampton is a gentleman who secretly works for the War Department.  One day as he is discussing plans to try to trap a Napoleonic traitor, a woman imposes on him, accusing him of taking her walking stick. Sorrel Kendrick deals with constant pain in her leg and hip ever since she was trampled by a horse two years earlier.  Her injury has dashed all her hopes of marriage and family, so she compensates with her sharp wit and tongue.  Philip and Sorrel end up being invited to the same house party for Christmas, and after another run-in proclaim war on each other.  Their warring devolves into flirting, and then to real attraction.  Just as a happy ending seems a possibility, Philips investigation throws both of them in mortal danger.

It is interesting that in the last period romance I read, A Beautiful Disguise, the woman overdresses and acts like a fashionista to cover up her role as a detective, but in this one it is the gentleman who dresses as a fop to cover up his investigative work. This book reminded me a lot, in concept, of The Scarlet Pimpernel. They are even set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Era. Of course, this one is not destined to be a timeless classic, but I enjoyed it well enough. The banter between Sorrel and Philip is entertaining, and I respected the fact that Sorrel is disabled, but still the love interest.  Good job being inclusive, Ms Eden.  This is the first in the series focusing on the Jonquil brothers, of which there are seven. I will probably end up reading more in the series. (269 p. 2012)