"Fabulous late eighteenth century romance"

In 1776 Paris, Helena de Stansion plans to flee to England to avoid an arranged marriage by her guardian, Comte Fabian de Vichisse. However, duty calls and she tends to her ailing sister. In the garden, she spots an intruder, who unbeknownst to her steals a dagger from her guardian. Surprisingly she helps him escape, but not before he kisses her.

Fabian uses Helena as a pawn to gain his desires. He agrees to allow her to go to England to marry a duke as long as the noble is wealthier than she is, which limits the field to almost no one. At a London soiree, Helena recognizes Sebastian Cynster whose kiss from that day in the garden still excites her. Sebastian also knows that Helena is the woman he never forgot. Helena tells Sebastian that she seeks a husband and asks him to help her find a spouse. Sebastian knows he loves Helena, but he is not sure how to propose to his beloved. Then there is her guardian holding her sister hostage to insure Helena remains pliable.

Stephanie Laurens has written six Cynster tales including a NY Times bestseller. Her latest tale, THE PROMISE IN A KISS, is a prequel to the other novels and may be the best of the lot. Besides containing an exciting story line that shows the "roots" of the Cynster dynasty, the plot has a delightful hero and an intrepid heroine who make this into a fabulous late eighteenth century romance.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 3, 2001

Summary

What would you do if you were kissed by the most handsome stranger you'd ever seen? And what if that man was one of the notorious Cynsters?

When a handsome man literally fell at her feet while she was walking through a moonlit convent courtyard, Helena knew he must be there for a scandalous liaison. Yet she kept his presence a secret from the questioning nuns--and for her silence the stranger rewarded her with an enticing, unforgettable kiss. What Helena didn't know was that her wild Englishman was Sebastian Cynster, Duke of St. Ives...and that this dashing dangerous nobleman was her destiny.

Seven years later, Sebastian spies Helena from across a crowded ballroom. This heiress is dazzling London society with her wit and beauty, tantalizing all the eligible men with the prospect of taking her hand in marriage. But Helena is not looking for just any husband. She wants an equal, a challenge--someone who can live up to the promise of that delicious, never-forgotten kiss.