The tale of elegant Abigail and unconventional Miles

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Pretty, wealthy and intelligent, Abigail Wendover is a most sought-after young woman. Well-bred, she has always obeyed the wishes of her highly-respected family. But with all her high-placed suitors, Abby has yet to find one that she could love. Living with her elder sister, Selina and chaperoning her beloved niece, she leads a gay, active social life in Bath. Nothing untoward has happened to disrupt her happy single life.. Until the arrival of the disreputable Miles Calverleigh in Bath. Once banished from India for some unspoken incident that branded him a black sheep, Miles has just returned - supposedly in search of his nephew. This brings him into Abby's social sphere as it seems that her beautiful niece, Fanny has fallen madly in love with Miles' dashing nephew, Stacy Calverleigh. But Abby is not happy with the match. Her keen eyes have noted that far from having fallen heads-over-ears in love, Stacy seems far more interested in acquiring Fanny's wealth. But the innocent Fanny finds herself dazzled by Stacy's charming, elegant address and stubbornly refuses to believe Abby's predictions. In the course of trying to discover Stacy's real plan, Abby finds herself slowly drawn to the elder Calverleigh. His cynicism, his brash ways, his morals appall her - yet, irresistibly she is attracted to his knowing smile. Miles' shocking secret is revealed which thoroughly amuses Abby but she fears that her respectable family could never accept this man. As usual, the story is peopled by various secondary characters but none are quite as intriguing and interesting as the two main characters themselves. Abby has quite met her match in Miles Calverleigh and their humorous, witty banter entertains throughout. All of her best sallies are answered with Miles' equally quick retorts. As she cavorts around town with the unconventional gentleman, Abby finds herself growing less inhibited in his presence and indulges in somewhat scandalous behaviour in conservative Bath society. This of course brings down the wrath of Abby's older brother, the head of the Wendovers. As she finds herself falling for Miles, Abby also finds that she simply cannot given in to her feelings. The elderly Seilna simply couldn't go on without her while the gooseish young Fanny would be lost without her aunt Abby to guide her. What she doesn't count on is her beau's resourcefulness.

Arabella April Lady Bath Tangle Beauvallet Charity Girl The Corinthian Cotillion Cousin Kate Devil's Cub False Colours Faro's Daughter Frederica Friday's Child Powder and Patch Regency Buck Simon the Coldheart Sprig Muslin Sylvester Venetia The Black Moth The Black Sheep The Convenient Marriage The Foundling The Grand Sophy The Masqueraders The Quiet Gentleman The Reluctant Widow The Spanish Bride The Talisman Ring The Toll-gate The Unknown Ajax These Old Shades Emma Pride and Prejudice Scarlet Pimpernel