THE BARONET'S LADY BIOLOGIST

A woman who’s ahead of her time struggles with her future in this historical romance novel by Baxter.

Georgiana “Georgie” Linfield, soon to turn 18, is quite distinctive from other English women her age, to her mother’s discontent. In this third volume of the author’s Linfield Ladies series, fledgling biologist Georgie’s dream is to travel abroad to satisfy her passion for natural history. But there's one significant barrier to this fantasy: Due to her older sister Harriet’s early marriage, Georgie’s coming-out season, during which she’ll be courted by eligible bachelors, gets moved up. She seeks the right type of husband: “The best thing she could do was find an indulgent husband who would not impose his will on her but rather give her the liberty to pursue her interests.” That description doesn’t fit Sir Giles Tavistock, the arrogant godson of her benefactor, Cousin Howard. Still, she agrees to illustrate Giles’s butterfly collection. As the two spend time together, their mutual attraction overwhelms her doubts—until Giles chooses to believe a nasty rumor circulating about Georgie. Georgie investigates another of her suitors, Pierre Alphonse, who is believed to be part of a conspiracy to free Napoleon from St. Helena. When Giles determines that the amateur sleuth is in peril, will he overcome his qualms and race to her rescue? The story is predictable: From the moment that Georgie and Giles meet at her father’s museum, it’s evident that the couple is going to end up together. The fun part is watching how that happens. Many of the obstacles that arise are the fault of the self-centered Georgie and Giles, who think the worst about others and aren’t terribly introspective. Georgie’s youth and naiveté further complicate matters. Still, it’s hard not to root for the spunky Georgie, who rails against the genteel norm for women in her era. The author effectively brings that time to life in her narrative with thorough research. The result is a work that’s both an engrossing love story and an involving period piece.

A forward-thinking innocent learns how to have it all in this absorbing love story.