The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae by Stephanie Laurens

          The Cynster Sisters Trilogy #3

          This is the third book of a trilogy of which I have not read the first two. While I found this a fairly fun book to read, there were some gaps in the story which may not have existed for me if I’d read the others. In particular, there was a bad guy who appears mysteriously very near the end. The part he plays seems largely unnecessary, and his motives are not explained. But could be I’d have known what was going on with him if I’d started this trilogy by reading the first book.

          The Earl of Glencrae seems like a good guy.  Of course, he’s a big handsome Scot – oh, and did I mention wealthy? – so what’s not to like here.  Angelica Cynster is my favorite kind of heroine. She is smart and feisty. She can take care of herself, and once she has committed herself to a plan, she follows it through, even if it means flouting convention. (It occurs to me, that if as many people flouted the conventions of the ton as happens in romance novels, the ton would have had a totally different set of conventions.)

          Angelica spots Dominic’s reflection in the window at a party and knows immediately that he is her hero, the man she is destined to spend the rest of her life with.  She maneuvers an introduction to him, and then requests a stroll in the garden, unknowingly setting herself up for her own kidnapping. This distresses her somewhat, but does not shake her faith that Dominic is her man.  Okay, that’s corny and goofy, but was very entertaining to read.

          As it turns out, Dominic is being blackmailed into kidnapping one of the Cynster sisters.  He’s tried to kidnap both of Angelica’s sisters in previous books, and Angelica is his last chance. She convinces Dominic to explain his reasoning for the kidnappings.  Once she finds out it is what he need to do to save his clan, she falls in with his plans immediately.

          The two of them, with their entourage of servants, set out to avoid her family, who will certainly want to rescue her. They must also convince Dominic’s mother that Angelica is being taken against her will, thus ensuring the social ruin of Angelica’s mother, her girlhood rival. Once that is accomplished, Mom will turn over the treasure that was promised to the bankers that hold title to all the clan lands and businesses.

          Angelica and Dominic succeed smashingly. And apparently live happily ever after.