Such a daring escape...
Their infamous adventurer father has taught Prudence
Tremaine and her brother Robin to be masters of disguise. Ending up on the
wrong side of the Jacobite rebellion, brother and sister flee to London,
Prudence pretending to be a dashing young buck, and Robin a lovely young lady.
Could cost them both their hearts...
Then Prudence meets the elegant Sir Anthony Fanshawe, and
Robin becomes the mysterious hero of the charming Letitia Grayson, and in order
to have what they truly want, the two masqueraders must find a way to unmask
themselves without losing their lives...
This is one of my all-time favorite historical novels,
and I was overdue for a reread. What could be more fun than a pair of escaped
Jacobites hiding in plain sight in London? Not just there, but making a splash
in Society, with no one suspecting that the charming Miss Kate Merriot is
actually Robin Lacey and her sober brother is his sister Prudence?
The story opens with a bang as "Peter" and
"Kate" rescue a young lady from an ill-advised elopement. Their quick
thinking was impressive, and I laughed out loud at the confusion they rained
down on the head of the frustrated suitor. I loved seeing Robin's immediate
protectiveness toward young Letty. It isn't long before another rescuer appears
in the form of Sir Anthony Fanshawe, a family friend. Sir Anthony is a large
man with a calm disposition, and it was fun to see his reactions to the Merriots
and Letty.
I loved watching the Merriots slip effortlessly in London
society. Prudence, as Peter, becomes a popular young buck. He makes friends
with others his age and participates in the usual activities of such young men.
He has also drawn the attention of Sir Anthony, who feels responsible for his
well-being. Robin and Prue initially believe that Tony is too
"sleepy" to suspect the truth about them. But the more time Prue
spends in his company, the more she suspects he's sharper than they thought. I
laughed every time Robin referred to him as the "mountain" or
"mammoth," suspecting he was in for quite a surprise. There are some
great scenes with Prue and Tony as she struggles to maintain the deception. I
loved watching their relationship develop as Tony is drawn into their lives.
Meanwhile, as Kate, Robin befriends young Letty, giving
her a more mature companion who will hopefully keep her out of trouble. Letty
is naïve and irrepressible in her desire for adventure, and it is all Robin can
do to try to redirect her antics. But her unlamented suitor hasn't given up on
trying to gain her inheritance. It's left to Robin to rescue her again, this time
in a most dramatic fashion. However, there are unintended consequences that
create problems for Robin and Prudence.
The Merriots' arrival in London was done at their
father's direction, whom they call "the old gentleman." They have traveled
Europe with him as he moves from one scheme to another. About halfway through
the book, he arrives in London claiming to be Viscount Barham, the long-lost
brother to the previous viscount. This is unwelcome news to the distant
relative who currently holds the title. Robert Tremaine is flamboyant, charming,
and gregarious and is hilarious in his antics as the claimant. He delights in
his role as a puppet master, pulling the strings of those around him. Prue and
Robin have no idea if he really is the viscount or if it is another one of his
scams, and can only watch and wait.
The ending is a delightful romp of rescues and
revelations, disappearances and reappearances, and a pair of happy-ever-afters.
I would love to see this as a movie.
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