Orchid Wars. The Perils of Flora McPhairson, #1

Early spring 1885. Flora McPhairson elopes but is jilted. Her reputation in shreds, she is obliged to stay with her bachelor uncle, veteran plant collector John McPhairson, and work at his plant nursery where he hybridises orchids, much in demand by high society. But trouble is afoot. Vandals attempt to destroy her uncle's life work then scandal-mongers cause a stir at a major auction. They are clearly the target of a dirty tricks campaign.
Suspects abound. Disaster also strikes abroad as their own plant collector falls victim to foul sabotage. Flora is obliged to seek the help of enigmatic journalist, William Carter, to avert ruin. Events take a sinister turn and Carter turns out to be a useful ally, and their mutual distrust turns into respect. As they fight unseen forces, they discover that there is much more at stake than her own livelihood - the reputation of the British Empire is at risk, and they both have to overcome her personal demons and work together to expose the plot.