Lady Alice Emerson does not want her sister Sophia, or anyone else, picking out prospective grooms for her. This independent Edwardian miss doesn't plan on getting married ever. Alice will receive a healthy inheritance in three years when she turns twenty-five and plans to use this to travel and have glorious adventures. Her short list in the interim includes a wild romantic affair with Thornbrook Park's estate manager, Logan Winthrop. Logan, however, is busy trying to turn Alice's interests away from him. Logan, the younger son of a Baron, was accused of murder several years ago; but, he was never tried nor convicted. He left his ancestral home so he would not taint his brother and his family, and is fortunate to have been given a job at Thornbrook, a job he has done admirably and is treated like a member of the household.

Alice is living in the Dower House at Thornbrook with Miss Agatha Simms, her elderly maiden aunt who considers herself a spiritualist. She is pretty accurate in her predictions.

While Alice is pursuing Logan shamelessly, she has two suitors that are a nuisance. One is staying at Thornbrook to oversee potting some citrus trees, and the other lives within a short distance. One of these men will do anything to win the fair Lady Alice, and refuses to take no for an answer.

Sherri Browning writes her clever Edwardian tales with a gentle, loving touch. Ms. Browning's characters are imbued with class, charm and wit, and the author has a strong grasp of time and place. AN AFFAIR DOWNSTAIRS, the second in the Thornbrook Park series, is lively and entertaining. The relationship between Alice and Logan is beautifully handled and is a wee bit spicy, just like our heroine.