A Handful of Promises (Hardcover)

Years ago, Secundus Alcester, a poor younger son, feel in love with shy, demure but incredibly rich Lady Helen Rotherford. But while Lady Helen returned Secundus' love, her proud and autocratic father did not approve of Secundus' suit at all. Roundly refusing to allow Secundus to court his daughter, Lord Rotherford and his son led Secundus to believe that Helen was all but engaged to another, more eligible gentleman. And so, Secundus, both his pride and heart quite shattered, left England for India in order to amass a fortune and to forget Lady Helen. Now, however, an urgent letter (two years late) has arrived informing Secundus that his elder brother is dead, leaving his children orphaned and his estate quite beggared, and requesting that Secundus return home and set matters aright. Swiftly, Secundus leaves India for England; but while his primary concern is for his nephews and nieces, a part of Secundus cannot help but wonder about Lady Helen. Is she still married? And does she still remember him fondly? And how her family would react to him now that he is a very rich man indeed...

"A Handful of Promises" turned out to be a nice gentle romance novel and a very pleasant read indeed. There were also two other romance subplots that revolved around Secundus' older niece and nephew, but for me the plot that really mattered was the one that dealt with Secundus and Lady Helen, and it was charmingly and delicately done. I would have, perhaps, liked it more if Jeanne Savery had spent even more time on Secundus and Lady Helen, but that is just a more personal wish/desire. And on the whole, everything had just the right touch for a nice, light Regency-era romance novel -- the story, the pacing and the characters involved. And if I had any quibbles about the book, it was that everyone was just so nice! Neither Secundus nor Lady Helen ever get angry at her brother for the part he played in separating them all those years ago. I, would conked the man hard on the head and then proceeded to make him feel as small as possible for at least week. But then, (obviously) Lady Helen is a much nicer person than me. All in all, reading "A Handful of Promises" was a very nice and pleasant way indeed to spend a lazy afternoon.