When Sophie Bayles inadvertently ruins a young man’s chance for employment, she sets out to find him a new position. Even though he doesn’t want her to.
With the war over, Lieutenant Heyward Elliott needs work. The job hunt is made no easier by the meddling of Sophie, who is all smiles and helpfulness one minute and snobby and argumentative the next. Complicating matters is her constant companion Helen, a strange young lady with a propensity to drop eggs on people in the name of science.
Sophie tries to do the right thing, but gets all the wrong results. Her attempts to find employment for Lieutenant Elliott produce one disaster after another, until he finally orders her never to help him again. But when he is arrested on false charges, she and Helen at last see a way to even the score, by clearing his name and reputation.
Unless they lose their own in the process…
Excerpt
“Did that make it better or worse?” Helen asked as they settled back against the cold seats of the carriage. The glass in the lantern rattled and the flame of the candle jerked as the coach started forward.
“I’m sorry?” Sophie had no idea what she was talking about. Well, actually, if Helen was thinking about the same thing that she was, then she knew exactly what Helen was talking about. But Helen was never thinking the same thing as anyone else.
She leaned forward, her breath leaving a faint cloud that hung between them. “Your fascination with Lieutenant Elliott. Has it increased now or was the kiss sufficient to satisfy your curiosity?”
“Helen! Y-you said you would not tell anyone.”
“And so I will not. I am merely asking you a question.”
“Yes.”
“That response was not specific enough to sufficiently answer the question.”
“I know.”
Helen sat back in her seat with a sigh of exasperation, her lips drawn together in a thin line. “You must decide, Sophie. Either we help the lieutenant tonight or you put him from your mind and let him get on with his life without you.”
“You make it sound as if I have a negative effect on his life. Well, I suppose I have in the past, but I can improve things for him, I know I can.”
Helen shook her head. “I saw the look on his face when we left. You can make things much worse for him.”
“Oh no, it was nothing. A momentary indiscretion. The heat in the room.”
“It was freezing in there.”
“That’s just it. The lack of heat forced us to do something that we would not have otherwise… It was a momentary lapse of reason.”
“An experiment of sorts?”
“Exactly.”
“The man is not a toast rind, Sophie. Do not repeat that experiment again.”
Sophie squirmed in her seat. Why did Helen suddenly feel the need to defend the lieutenant? After all, it was her modesty that had been compromised.
Or was it? She could not really be certain who had moved first. He was so close and then it just happened, like a storm cloud spilling over with rain. Something that could not be stopped.
Why would it be so terrible to try it again? Helen always repeated her experiments numerous times. And she was fairly certain her own experiment had been much more enjoyable.
Was it indeed just an experiment? Or did she want to kiss the man because she was falling in love with him? And what good would it do to love a man should could never marry?
She started to squirm in her seat again. “Ahem. Helen, why did you say we must help the lieutenant tonight? Surely we will need time to plan what we intend to do.”
“So you’ve decided then?” Helen had a warning look in her eyes. “The lieutenant will not simply be an experiment for you? A charitable project?”
“Y-yes, of course.” The hairs on the back of her neck pricked up. What was Helen suggesting? That in order to help the man she needed to make some sort of commitment to him? Were not finding him employment or clearing his name of false charges admirable enough goals on their own? Any sort of personal commitment—the word “engagement” screamed through her mind—was really out of the question. It was inconceivable. His station was so far below hers that she had not even considered the matter.
Not seriously, anyway.
Professional Reviews
MyShelf Book Reviews
The Appearance of Impropriety
by Kate Dolan
Reading Kate Dolan's period romances may make a romance fan of me yet. Her latest, The Appearance of Impropriety, is a pure delight. Lieutenant Hayward Elliott, like many returning veterans no matter the time period, is home from war, trying to find a well-paying position so that he can support his mother and sisters. When he enters the Bayles household to interview for an opening as land steward, his life becomes intertwined with that of Miss Sophie Bayles, the oldest daughter of the household. But it isn't all roses. In fact, Sophie's temper flies at the young lieutenant when he reacts negatively to being in the line of fire of an egg dropped by Sophie's young house guest, Helen. Sophie's actions cause Lt. Elliott to lose this financial opportunity and soon Sophie rues her temper and seeks a way to make amends by finding him employment. The comedy of errors that follows revolves around station and social place and has both humorous moments and moments of deep despair. Sometimes, it looks as if no good deed goes unpunished.
I admired Sophie's spunk and determination, which was quite out of character for most young ladies in her position. And young Lt. Elliott proves himself to be of noble character, even in the most dire circumstances. My favorite character, though, was young Helen, a budding scientist who had only been experimenting when Lt. Elliott happened upon her falling egg. Helen reminded me a lot of Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter movies and books, a socially odd character but with an uncommonly brilliant mind and a good heart. Helen was indeed as intelligent as Luna, and equally at odds with society.
The Appearance of Impropriety is a fast read, but a fun one. Dolan paints this period of England quite well, making you want to linger over the pages—if you weren't in such a hurry to find out how it all turns out. This book has a lot of the same themes as Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and fans of classic literature would find it quite appealing, and easier to tackle, because Dolan's language is clearer, without the conventions of writers of Austen's time. Very well done! The Book
Cerridwen Press
January 9, 2009
Paperback
1419958224 / 978-1419958229
Regency romance
More at Amazon.com
Excerpt
NOTE:
The Reviewer
Janie Franz
Reviewed 2009
NOTE: Reviewer Janie Franz is the author of Freelance Writing: It’s a Business, Stupid!and co-author of The Ultimate Wedding Reception Book and The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Book.
5 Star Review Fallen Angels
Lieutenant Heywood Elliot is waiting to be interviewed, for a steward position, with the father of Sophia Bayles. Unfortunately, Helen, who is staying at the home of the Bayles, accidentally drops an egg landing on Heywood. Sophia doesn’t wish for him to conduct an interview with her father with a stain on him. She has no idea how desperately he needs the job to help support his mother and sisters. After speaking to Heywood, Sophia feels she has done a huge injustice to him. She tries to get her father to call Heywood back for another interview but it is too late. Heywood has no idea how he will pay the creditors. Even when Sophia offers an apology to him, she is too beautiful and enticing not to forgive her actions, still it doesn’t put food on the table. He was sure he would arrive home a captain but the Navy refused to ratify his command, leaving him a lieutenant. He even had to repay the extra money the Navy had given him for the nine months captain salary he was endowed. Sophia lets Heywood know she will help find him employment but it seems the harder she tries, the more her attempts turn into disaster. After learning he is a noble man taking care of his family, Sophia tries her best to find him the right job, while a simmering friendship quickly forms between the two.
An Appearance of Impropriety is a delightful story. The myriad cast are so many, there is something always going on. I could feel the trepidation that Heywood suffers in trying to find employment to care for his mother and sisters. I think it is so romantic the way Sophia wants to smooth his unruly hair whenever they are in close contact. Kate Dolan writes a smooth flowing read that kept this reader turning the pages. She sketches interesting characters that are quite unique in their own way. There were times that I could have slapped Sophia and Heywood for their actions, but in the end everything always worked out for the best. I enjoyed the way their relationship starts off a bit shaky then the more they connect, it slowly buds into something meaningful. The addition of Helen, and her bizarre behavior, adds a bit of zest to this delicious read.
Reviewed by: Linda L.
The Romance Studio
This book was refreshingly quite different from most historical romances I have read. I’m not sure how to describe it, but this book had a certain quirky tone in the storyline. It was in the tone of this book that I felt the idiosyncratic tendencies but, I’ll have to admit, I could not put the book down. This was my first time reading Ms. Kate Dolan’s work. Let me assure you, it will not be my last.
Lieutenant Heywood Elliott had an appointment with the father of Sophie Bayles. When he appeared, his uniform was tattered and torn, but he was clean. It didn’t last, however. He ended up with egg on his shoe and an irate Sophie who refused to allow her father to see him. She had no idea how much he needed this position or that his mother and two sisters, Caro and Jane, were cold and hungry. She had no concept of how much he needed to provide for the women in his life.
Once Sophie realized her houseguest, Helen, had really dropped an egg on him, she was horrified that she had told her father not to hire him. It was too late to change the fact, because he had already offered the steward’s job to another man. That man, Lieutenant Silas Ringeour, was a thorn in Heywood’s side during his entire career in the Navy. Now it seemed he had again been bested by the unscrupulous man.
The characters in this book were many; the main cast members were clustered around the couple who would fall in love with each other. The part of the housemate, Helen, was so ludicrous it was priceless. It bordered on unbelievable but anyone who is familiar with Murphy’s Law could visualize it perfectly. Ms. Dolan showed a vast command of her writing skills because it seemed as if I was truly in each priceless, disastrous event which endeared both Heywood and Sophie to this reader.
The book was somehow different, but very appealing. I recommend it highly. This regency historical is appropriate for any age level reader.
Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Sweet
Reviewer: Brenda Talley
August 7, 2008
An adorable, quant novel with many twist & turns. Quite comical and a very easy read.
Sophie feels guilty for costing Heyward a position as her fathers steward and feels she must make amends. Thus she begins plotting ways to apologize to him, however every plan seems to cause more harm than good. Poor Heyward suffers more and more atv each turn, to the point where he begs Sophie to attempt to help him no more. When he is arrested for a crime he did not commit, Sophie forgets her promise to stop helping him and sets out to prove his innocence and set him free.
'The Appearance of Impropriety' is a romantic comedy with a funny story line and enough differing plots to keep the readers attention glued to each page. Very humorous! Very enjoyable! I enjoy the writing style of Kate Dolan and loved this sequel. I look forward to reading the next two stories of the series. I highly recommend this novel. Definitely a thumbs-up!!!
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