About the Book:

A Gentleman of Means

One of the most eligible bachelors in London, Lord Christopher “Kit” Cavanaugh has discovered his true path and it doesn’t include the expected society marriage. Kit is all business and has chosen the bustling port of Bristol to launch his passion—Cavanaugh Yachts.

A Woman of Character

Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s passion is her school for impoverished children. When a new business venture forces the school out of its building, she must act quickly. But confronting Kit Cavanaugh is a daunting task made even more difficult by their first and only previous meeting, when, believing she’d never see him again, she’d treated him dismissively. Still, Sylvia is determined to be persuasive.

An Unstoppable Duo

But it quickly becomes clear there are others who want the school—and Cavanaugh Yachts—closed. Working side by side, Kit and Sylvia fight to secure her school and to expose the blackguard trying to sabotage his business. Yet an even more dastardly villain lurks, one who threatens the future both discover they now hold dear.

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:                                                      The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh (The Cavanaughs Book 2)

My Review:

Lord Christopher “Kit” Cavanaugh and Miss Sylvia Buckleberry have met previously, and it was only memorable due to its awkwardness and Sylvia’s noticeable coldness to Kit.  While attending the wedding of Kit’s brother, Rand, Kit was attracted to Sylvia, but his every overture was met with the proverbial cold shoulder.  Kit got the message, and decided to forego any further pursuit, thinking Sylvia to be closed up and unfriendly.  As for Sylvia, she had an unwanted attraction to Kit which went back to her debut season.  His reputation as a rake makes any acquaintance unsuitable for her, so she meets his friendly overtures with iciness.  They each leave the wedding thinking to never see each other again.

Little does Sylvia know, but Kit’s rakish reputation is fictitious, something perpetuated by him to ward off young ladies trying to lure him into marriage, at the instigation of his scheming mother.  The plots concocted by his mother were so twisted that her actions deeply affected the lives of Kit and his siblings.  Now that his mother is deceased, and Kit has had a chance to regroup and assess his life, he’s ready to go forward with his dream of creating a company that builds yachts.  He sets up in Bristol, which is ideally located, as well as having many experienced workmen in the area who desperately need the work.  Bristol also happens to be the location where Sylvia has established a charitable school, one that currently is occupying the very building Kit has just purchased to house his new company.

When Sylvia learns that she will have to relocate her school within a week, she’s enraged, and stomps off to confront the new owner.  Kit is astonished that the fiery woman berating him is the same icy and aloof woman he met weeks ago, and his previous attraction grows even hotter when he sees her passionate dedication to her cause.  Sylvia’s anger pops like a balloon when Kit immediately offers to help find a new location for her school, and when she learns that he had no knowledge of her school, which had been using his building.

This tentative truce quickly evolves into a genuine friendship, as Kit helps enormously with relocating the school as well as backing it.  Sylvia sees that Kit is bringing much needed employment and life to an area that desperately needs it.  She begins to believe that his reputation is false, as his kindness and good works benefit her school and the community time and time again.  When it becomes clear that Kit’s continued presence in her life is no coincidence, she decides to let go of her prejudice and allows him to court her.

Their courtship is slow and sweet, with Kit taking his time with Sylvia, and acting the complete gentleman.  Their romance is believable and lovely.  Sylvia’s distrust fades, along with any aloofness she may have harbored, and she exhibits the caring and fun loving woman she truly is.  I loved watching her blossom, as well as seeing Kit realize that he is falling in love.  They are people who are extraordinary in their giving natures, their commitment, and their genuine goodness.  I adored them both and every scene with them together was a pleasure to read.

I haven’t yet read the previous story of Kit’s brother, Rand, (though I intend to) so I’m not sure if that book goes into much detail about Kit’s abusive mother, but she appears to have been a major piece of work.  This story provided sufficient background so that it reads perfectly as a standalone.  The building romance is intertwined with several clever mysteries, which made for exciting reading.  This book is not as explicit or steamy as previous books I’ve read by Stephanie Laurens from years ago, though the story doesn’t suffer from the lack.  (There is one intimate scene at the end of the book.)  I found THE PURSUITS OF LORD KIT CAVANAUGH to be warm, romantic, engaging, and satisfying, and I recommend it for readers who enjoy a little mystery along with a delightful character driven romance.    ~Rose