Christine Jope-Slade

Gaston Murphy, 32, half-French, half-Irish, "half artist, half poet, half wandering minstrel" finds himself in a predicament. He's been invalided out of the army and saddled with three beautiful, penniless charges, left him as the only wealthy man of their scholar-father's acquaintance. Unfortunately, Gaston's warm and whimsical generosity has already blown through his inheritance. All he has left is 3000 pounds, the principal that provides his modest yearly income. And the girls, he finds, gently reared in a French convent, have romantic notions and no job training. What's a "beloved vagabond" to do? If you're Gaston, it's hit up your mom's old friend to chaperone, rent a ridiculously expensive fairy cottage, and sink your last penny into providing them six months of luxury, splendor, and social entrée. Will the girls make brilliant matches? Or will Gaston lose his heart as well as his bank balance?

Prudence -- fair, curvy, and placid -- and Gipsy -- small, dark, and clever -- Chick are poor orphan sisters, down from dreary clerical jobs in London housesitting for their wealthy cousin Melisande (also a Chick). Two miles from Cottage-on-the-End, Sussex, is a whole camp full of American soldiers, and wouldn't it be memories for a lifetime (or maybe even a husband?) if they could only meet some of them, go to the cinema and host cozy, homesick-curing teas? No sooner wished for than two excellent specimens land right on their doorstep. Captain Dann and Clay Weal are there on a commission from their friend Monty: deliver the ring to cement his secret engagement to Miss Chick. But here are two Misses and both lovely. Monty didn't specify and the girls, who scent an opportunity to prolong the fun, are maddeningly coy. Can Gipsy and Pru string along the mystery to an HEA? Or will the unexpected arrival of Monty's aunt gum up the works?