A Sprig Of Lavender

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A Sprig of Lavender

by Susan Ralph

Edition: ebook, 2012

Synopsis: Catherine Sutton is crushed when she fails to attract a marriage proposal after her first coming-out season. Since her viscount father passed away, the family’s resources have dwindled, and she dreads becoming a destitute spinster. But when she’s invited to the Duke of Mumshire’s country estate—where she’ll be considered for the heir’s hand—hope returns.

A trip to the country will also take her mind off the crime she’d witnessed at the last event of the season—an unbearably handsome stranger stealing a lady’s purse. Catherine and the thief locked gazes in the middle of the act, and while she was quickly been swept away by the crowd, later that night she was introduced to the thief, Henri LaFleur. Now he knows her name and can force her silence.

Catherine shakes the memory…until LaFleur shows up as a fellow guest at the Duke of Mumshire’s estate. This time, though, she finds herself terribly, inexplicably drawn to this thief. But is LaFleur who he seems?

Catherine is heartbroken that her first Season has ended without a proposal of marriage. After all, she wants to restore her family’s fortune. When she is witness to a strange theft in the middle of a ballroom, she is terrified the thief will do anything to keep her silent. Her heart, on the other hand, may have something else to say about the handsome stranger.

Although several plot points were predictable, I enjoyed this Regency tale. Catherine’s feelings about the Season were realistic for a girl of her time period: she wants to help her family in the best way she can. At the same time, she wants to stay true to herself and have real affection for the man she marries.

I would have liked to have seen more interaction between Catherine and Mr. LaFleur. His storyline is dramatic and harder to believe. Still, he was an enjoyable enough character.