To Ruin a Gentleman is a prequel that starts off The Scarlet Chronicles - it is set in France just as the Revolution is starting, and explains the start of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Viscount Hugh Daventry is in France on business and stops off at widow Angelette, Comtesse d’Avignon’s house party as a favor to her sister to persuade her to escape to England. His stories of the unrest are answered with disbelief by all the nobles at the party, until they experience the danger first hand. Angelette is still determined to help her friends and family in France, and Hugh can’t bring himself to leave her alone and in danger. I thought Angelette was foolish but very brave to stay in France with the danger all around for the aristocracy, and Hugh was obviously so smitten he couldn’t desert the woman he’s fallen for, which led to some hard decisions. During the story, there was quite a bit of suspense as to whether they would be taken by the mob or win free, and then we didn’t see all of their adventures during the unrest, but the conclusion made it very clear there was a happily ever after, which made me happy. I hope we hear more about Sir Percy Blakeney in future stories, as well as Angelette and Hugh, and I’d love to hear if Angelette’s friends, the French Vicomte and his pregnant wife made it safely out of France.