Miss Gail Alton was not having a good day. Or a good year. First, she’s strong-armed into attending the Season as a foil to her beautiful sister,Evangeline. Then, while riding her mare in the park, she gets toppled by a stuffy, self-important, too-handsome-by-half “gentleman” who has the audacity to blame her for their fall into the chilly lake! Little does Gail know that the very same man will soon be found in a compromising position with her sister….
Forced into asking for Evangeline’s hand in marriage, Maximillian, Viscount Fontaine, can’t take his mind off the irksome girl who threw him from his horse and who can match wits with him at every turn. He’s determined to follow through with his best intentions, yet he can’t deny that Gail makes him want to cast propriety aside – and whisk away the sister of his soon-to-be bride….
Rating: Narration B-; Content C+
Compromised, originally published in 2008, was Kate Noble’s début novel, and while a little rough around the edges in some places, is nonetheless competently written and strongly characterised.
Maximillian, Viscount Fontaine, is heir to the reclusive and controlling Earl of Longsbowe, who, at the beginning of the story, threatens to disinherit his son if he does not marry within the next three months. Max, who has chosen to make his own, rather modest, way in the world rather than submit to his father’s manipulations and dictates, is forced to take the threat seriously, although actually, it’s rather a big plot hole. The earl threatens to have Max declared illegitimate so he can’t inherit, but I doubt he could have done so. If a child was born in wedlock – as Max was – it was legitimate, regardless of who supplied the sperm!
Fortunately for Max, he soon meets the beautiful and demure Miss Evangeline Alton at a ball, is completely captivated by her and decides that perhaps marriage won’t be such a hardship after all. In the romantic atmosphere of a moonlit conservatory, filled with the heady scents of exotic flowers, Max and the young lady share a kiss which, unhappily for them, is witnessed and therefore sure to lead to all sorts of damaging gossip. Determined to do the right thing, Max duly presents himself at the Alton’s home the following morning to make Evangeline an offer of marriage.
The Altons have only recently returned to London, having spent a number of years living abroad. Sir Geoffrey is a diplomat and father of two daughters, Evangeline and Abigail (Gail), and has recently remarried. Not only is he hopeful of a new and important government appointment, his new wife, Romilla, is determined to do her utmost to see the girls comfortably settled and accepted in society. Any gossip to the effect that Evie has been compromised could prove disastrous for the all their prospects, but Romilla comes up with a suitable plan of action. Max and Evie can be secretly engaged for a month, during which time he will publicly court her. When the month is up, their betrothal will be announced, thus scotching any rumours that it had to be hastily arranged. In order to make sure the courtship maintains the appearance of utter propriety and familial endorsement, Romilla specifies that a family member must accompany the couple at all times. Needless to say, this puts an incredible impediment in the way of Max and Evie getting to know each other – especially as their chaperone is usually Gail, whose relationship with Max is rather adversarial.
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