Oliver Leighton, the Earl of Norcroft, is the last man standing after a bet among
four men as to who will remain unmarried the longest. Rather ironically, Oliver was never opposed to marriage, as the other three men were, but simply desired only to marry for love. He hadn't felt the need to get married, but now that his friends had moved on into their new lives, he feels a little lonely.
When Oliver returns to his country estate, he is soon surprised by the arrival of an unconscious woman who appears to have amnesia. Over the next days, the woman tries to remember her life - she doesn't even know her name, so Oliver and his mother call her Kate. As Oliver spends time with her, he begins to wonder if she's the ideal future countess - but nothing can be done when they don't know who she is.
As Kathleen MacDavid recovers her memory, she realizes that she has fallen in love with Oliver - and that her meeting with him isn't as accidental as it appears. Can Oliver understand why they have to marry?
Will he believe in the curse that has beleaguered their families for hundreds of years?
Even if they marry, will the curse ever be broken?
Most of the action in the enjoyable, lighthearted Seduction of a Proper Gentleman
takes place between Oliver and Kate/Kathleen as she tries to remember her
identity. The difficulties of her amnesia are well written, though once her memories come back the story falters a little. Oliver himself
is occasionally a variable character, switching from being stiff and haughty to warm and friendly in a changeable manner. The story,
while perhaps a little drawn out in the end, is a pleasant enough read with a couple of sub-plot romances.