A Sensible Lady — Judith Lown

When Katherine Brampton's cousin and former fiancé inherits her family home, she resolves not to be dependent on a man for whom she has no respect. So she leases the Dower House from a kindly baron on a neighboring estate, believing that she has successfully met the greatest challenge of her life.

How wrong she is! The kindly baron dies. An orphan arrives, whom Katherine accepts as her nephew. She is determined to provide for him, which means she must forget about love and marry a gentleman with money.

There are three possibilities.

Her cousin, Sir Clive Brampton, is eager to let bygones be bygones and marry Katherine. She would be able to return to her family home and live a life of financial ease. Her nephew would be provided for and launched into a career deemed suitable by Sir Clive. Can Katherine just accept Sir Clive's generous offer?

The Reverend Mr. Augustus Wharton, the newly arrived vicar, listens attentively to Katherine's anguished musings over the loss of her brother on a distant battlefield in Spain. There are rumors that Mr. Wharton's present vocation is a stunning contrast to his past as a hard drinking, gambling rake. Katherine dismisses the rumors and wonders if she could live happily with a man for whom she feels only sisterly affection.

Finally, there is the new baron, Lord Henry Dracott. Lord Harry, as he is called, is clearly attracted to Katherine. But in spite of their best efforts to be civil to each other, their disagreements end up in arguments. Although there is mutual attraction, Katherine knows that Lord Harry's heart is buried with his dead wife.

Katherine tries to be a sensible lady and accept a practical marriage. But will her heart let her?