Mister Malcolm's List

 I read a silly little book called Mister Malcolm's List by Suzanne Allain. Set in England, Count Malcolm has a list of things he wants in a wife. He meets his friend's cousin, Julia, who is conniving and manipulative and two faced. After one trip to the opera with her he knows she is not the one for him. Julia is outraged beyond measure and because she is emotionally immature and highly dramatic she invites her former classmate, Selina, to come and visit. Julia wants Selina to capture the Count's fancy and then tell him he doesn't qualify because she has a list of her own. Selina, the daughter of a vicar and his wife, does not have the means to mix in high society like Julia. Selina just finished a job as a companion to an older, lonely woman so she agrees to visit Julia. Selina is not interested in embarrassing the count. They met at a ball and they both seemed to like each other. Julia continues to manipulate everyone to get what she wants. This silly book was fun to read but full of fluff.