The Seventh Sister

by Paula Tanner Girard

The youngest of seven girls in need of husbands, Lady Margaret has no use for the social graces of the London season, prefering instead to pursue her interest in entomology, until Captain Bixworth Hawksby, her older brother's close friend, is enlisted to help find her a mate. Original.

Genres: Regency Romance, Romance

220 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[QNPoohBear · Rating 1 out of 5]

Captain Bixworth Hawksby, on leave in London, is on Cloud 9 because the beautiful actress Miss Divine has just consented to allow him to be her latest protector. Lady Margaret is the seventh daughter of the late Earl of Chantry and his third wife. She, along with her older sisters, have joined their half-brother in London for the Season. Maggie hates London and the social whirl. She would much rather be at home at their estate near the Scottish boarder hunting bugs. Maggie is an etymologist, an interest which does not endear her to London Society. When Maggie's brother Daniel and his wife, Maggie's half-sister Frankie, are called away on business, Daniel decides Maggie needs a chaperon to take her around to the functions she wishes to attend. Hawksby, daydreaming of the lovely charms of Miss Divine, literally runs into his old superior officer Daniel Durham, Earl of Chantry. Daniel decides Hawksby is just the chaperone for Maggie. Hawksby is dismayed. Last Season she led him on a hunt through the bushes for a bug and his regimentals were ruined beyond repair. When Daniel reminds Hawksby of a personal debt, Hawksby has no choice but to agree. Maggie thinks Hawksby is too sober and decides to lead him a merry dance across England. This Season Maggie doesn't lead him on a chase through the mud and bushes but she does lead him on a chase through London museums and lecture halls. He's never been so bored in his life nor more captivated by Maggie's womanly figure. Hawksby has his job cut out for him chaperoning Maggie and trying to keep Miss Divine out of the arms of a rival. That's pretty much the whole plot. There's not much chemistry between Hawksby and Maggie. She's little more than a child and he is consumed with thoughts about his mistress for nearly the whole book. I found Maggie interesting because of her intellectual pursuits and though I hate bugs, I can see myself dragging someone through the museums of London. Hawksby is a very bland character. He has little personality until 3/4 of the way through the book. We know little about him until that point. I'm not quite sure if it's totally proper for a house full of young ladies to be left alone and for a stranger to chaperone a young girl. The premise of the book sounded funny but really wasn't. You don't have to read The Sister Season to read this book but the characters refer to events that occurred in that book and I had a hard time figuring out the family relationships which are likely explained in the first. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone except those who are interested in etymology.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why the note at the top stating it is NOT A BOOK???
Maggie is the 7th sister of 8 sisters. She is a rebel and when she makes up her mind to do something she does it no matter who is affected…she collects bugs. Her brother, Daniel and his wife, her half sister, Freddie, must go to take care of a problem at one of his estates so he enlists the help of Hawksby to look after Maggie. They were in the army together and Daniel saved Hawksby's life...so he owes him. Hawksby has one problem after another with Maggie, but he can't help himself...he falls in love with her. He had just gotten a mistress, Miss Divine, an actress. She takes his money and makes a fool of him by taking another lover. He takes her to their home in Northern England and on the way passes his home. Maggie falls for him although she is naive at the age of 17. She likes his parents although or because they are as much of a rebel as she. He proposes and she accepts. He gives up his commission and becomes steward of her home so she can stay there in the home she loves. Her sister, Ruth, is to marry Spencer, the blind friend of Hawksby.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie, Lady Margaret, is the youngest of seven sisters and less than excited to be in London for the seasons. She prefers the country and bugs. Capt Hawksby is bound by a promise to her brother-in-law, the Earl, is her designated escort for those blue stocking events. A pleasant Regency romance ensues with the nominal hiccups

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very pleasant book. It is what I would call romantic, however, it is not heavy on the flowery language which I appreciated. I also appreciate that it was not full of violence or sex. If you are in the mood for a nice little story I would suggest this one.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tiresome protagonists. Could not finish. Which is extreme for me.