The Season in Bath is for young men and women to find a husband or wife. Many travel from the countryside to this town each year to court one another. Constance Alford and her best friend, Harriet Guyer, are in Bath for just that purpose. They are appropriately accompanied by Harriet's mother so as never to be found in an inappropriate situation.
Sir Geoffrey Thornhill has just broken off his engagement to Constance, so she has come to Bath to court him specifically and make him love her again. She's a very unconventional girl and goes about her courting in somewhat romantic, but very unconventional ways. When her secret courting gets misinterpreted and is thought to be for Geoffrey's best friend, Lord Robert Fenway, a tangled mess unfolds. Harriet has her eyes set on Lord Fenway and is infuriated by the whole situation.
Sir Geoffrey enjoys the courting, saying there is an element of surprise and danger in the chase. Does he ever get a surprise -- and finds danger, as well. The chase seems more like a battle than a courtship, and no one is sure who will end up with whom in the end.
This inspirational novel shows that true love can conquer all and that people can change their thought processes and, in turn, their lives. A perfect blend of humor, romance and a little conspiracy make this a charming story, indeed.
How sweet you are,β she
said irrepressibly. βYou have always looked out
for my best
interests.β
Sir Geoffrey bowed. βI am so very pleased to do
so. For I see that
you have changed and so much for the
better.β
She looked at him puzzled, curiously waiting for
his next words.
He raised an eyebrow and glibly explained,
motioning to the cup he
had returned to her. βSee, you now accept what I
have to offer, no
matter how humble.β
Constance considered him cautiously, reassessing
the unexpected
stranger before her. This man didnβt seem like
the same one who had
treasured her and once thought nothing good
enough for her. At one
time, he would never have insisted she drink the
nasty water that
she wanted to gag upon now. He would have taken
it for her.
He nodded and continued, as if amused by some
secret joke. βAnd you
have become quite devout and pious as well, I
see.β
She wasnβt sure what he meant, but she wasnβt
afraid of him.
βSir? You have the advantage of me because I do
not understand your
splendid and unexpected compliments.β
His gray eyes sparkled and she could swear he
was enjoying their
battle, though she didnβt see how. She almost
felt annoyed, but
reminded herself that he couldnβt play with her
emotions. She firmly
commanded them and would one day command his
too.
βModest now too,β he answered softly with a
touch of humor. βI
remember how much you once loved my gift and yet
you now refrain
from wearing such a gaudy trinket in the very
place that it would
fit the best. Isnβt it scriptural for a woman to
refrain from
wearing pearls and gold?β
Constance couldnβt help fighting back. βJudge
not, lest ye be
judged,β she retorted.
βI am proven right,β he instantly replied. βYou
have been studying
the Bible.β
She had to try something different for he was
definitely trying to
provoke her. He seemed immune to her smiles and
charm. Why not play
the girl he thought he wanted then?
βMy dear sir.β She curtsied and then sighed. βI
am honored you would
find virtues in me that are so fine and yet
unmerited.β
βI have been known to have that fault,β he said
sarcastically,
showing her for a moment the anger that still
burned within him.
© 2003-2026