Katherine Lauderdale; Vol. 1 of 2

"Katherine Lauderdale" by F. Marion Crawford is a novel that paints a portrait of love and personal battles in the late 1800s. John Ralston finds himself at a crossroads, wrestling with his affection for Katharine Lauderdale while battling inner demons and societal pressures. The story kicks off with Ralston confiding in his friend Hamilton Bright and expressing his unhappiness, setting the scene for a tale of hidden devotion, moral struggles, and the complexities of love against a backdrop of social expectations, as Ralston eventually proposes marriage in secret to Katharine. The well-developed characters and engaging conversations lead the way to an exploration of the characters' ethical and emotional problems.