The Prude and the Prodigal

Demure Prunella Broughton has long felt responsible for her lovely younger sister Nanette — since their mother ran away with a lover and then, not long later, their beloved father had died. As an heiress and a debutante, Nanette is already attracting much male attention.

But it’s about Pascoe Lowestoft  that Prunella is most concerned. Spoilt, dandified, vain and “far too good-looking for any young girl’s peace of mind”, this penniless fortune hunter he has declared himself in love with Nanette!

To make matters worse, the new 6thEarl of Winslow arrives unexpectedly to take his place at his long-neglected Baronial Hall — a gentleman of whom Prunella deeply disapproves for his wild, raffish reputation, and the fact that he is Pascoe’s uncle.

Her argument that  the love between Nanette and Pascoe must be stopped gets short shrift from the Earl. Indeed, he argues that love, such as that which led her mother to leave, cannot be denied. Prudish Prunella refuses to believe that such an unruly, uncontrollable love can exist — until the prodigal Earl’s stolen kiss changes everything forever.