COMPROMISING PRUDENCE by Marguerite Butler is a short and funny story about how one should remember one's name when responding to life's troubles, or alternatively, one should not name thy children after virtues, lest they become ironic names. I give this novella four stars.
In COMPROMISING PRUDENCE, The Honorable Miss Prudence Wemberly has landed herself in a pickle after being found in a kiss with a gentleman. The gentleman agrees to do the honorable thing, but then flees to his family's collective bosom and disavows any obligation to marry Prudence. Prudence disobeys her father and goes to find her missing betrothed, only to be heartbroken by his rejection and the jeers of his friends and family.
Prudence anticipates her father disowning her and decides to seek a position as a courtesan with one of the most illustrious Madams in London, concluding that if one has to be ruined, one might as well enjoy it. While at the brothel, she drinks too much and ends up going home with the marriageable Charles Hatterly.
Charles Hatterly goes to town every year for a month in order to satisfy his father's urgings that he marry. After leaving a private party where no young lady suited his criteria for a wife, Charles runs randomly into an intoxicated Prudence as she awaits an interview with the Madam, and he is almost instantly intrigued. The rest, as they say, is history.
I enjoyed this novella immensely. It was funny, witty and well-written. There was a lesson / reminder for all in being patient, avoiding rash decisions, and acting wisely when faced with life's challenges. The pace of the novella was quick, and the plotline simple.
The romance was believable, even for a novella. There were just enough background and character details to make it so, and no hyperbolic declarations of love to baffle the reader. The romance was also respectfully done, making the content appropriate for those 16 years of age and older.
Any historical fiction lover or anyone who has ever had a spat with a parent would enjoy this novella. Take an afternoon to relax with COMPROMISING PRUDENCE; you won't be disappointed.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10714.
