Name: Indiscretion
ISBN: 9780312374372

Jude Morgan

When her profligate father loses his fortune, Caroline agrees with his scheme to set her up as the companion of a wealthy and powerful society matron in which position she is to use her beauty and intelligence to attract the attentions of some of Regency society's most eligible men, but she soon discovers that love and marriage are not what some "gentlemen" seek. Reprint. 17,500 first printing.

A Novel

Indiscretion

Pepper

** spoiler alert **
           I shall preface this review by saying that I agree heartily with all before me who have compared this book to Heyer's and found it up to snuff. What a gem this has turned out to be!

Indiscretion follows the fortunes of Caroline Fortune, daughter of a theatre-loving Captain whose foolhardy schemes and expensive tastes ensure that the pair are always one step away from financial ruin. When their future looks too bleak to avoid by daydreaming about what he will purchase with his non-existent wealth the Captain decides to find his daughter a suitable position that may secure her future at least. This 'suitable' position turns out to be that of a companion to a scheming, attention-seeking old dragon by the name of Mrs Caitling, who is very wealthy, often bored and always caustic. From here begins Caroline's tale which moves from despondent drudgery to contentment through a quagmire of unwanted confidences, unsolicited advances, tragedy, reconciliation, kindness, hope, quarrels, friendship, indecision, accusations, scandal, and resolve.


The characters, even beyond the leading pair, have been written wonderfully. Which is not to say that they are all loveable and sweet but that one rather gets accustomed to their distinct qualities, irritating or otherwise. Caroline is a likeable heroine who is practical, independent and non judgemental. The latter quality is what I really admired for it helped one look beyond Matthew's needy and self-centred exterior to appreciate his non-duplicitous nature, and realise that beneath Captain Burton's gruff, incoherent mannerisms lay a loyal heart. Indeed credit should be given to the author for making the characters much more than caricatures, for example by giving Augusta a chance to prove her responsible nature. It was also nice to see a hero who is fallible. Stephen's miscalculations about Fanny and Carraway and his tendency to avoid the burden of his father's position only made him seem more human and thus accessible. His penchant for engaging Caroline in a duel of witty repartee made the book a truly enjoyable experience. The sense of humour that pervades the conversations and characters, be it Stephen's puns at Caro's expense when she gets stuck on a stile or Uncle John never quite getting the gist of a conversation or turn of events until it was explained thoroughly to him, are truly the making of this book. 

My only nitpick would be the use of present tense in certain passages which seemed to distract from the flow of the book and seemed more self indulgent than a necessity. But we all must have our weaknesses and so one shall make allowances for that given that the rest of the narrative was tightly written, emotionally engaging and above all fun. Heck I even enjoyed the punctuations in this book, especially the use of the colon.

When her profligate father loses his fortune, Caroline agrees with his scheme to set her up as the companion of a wealthy and powerful society matron and use her beauty and intelligence to attract the attentions of Regency society's most eligible men.

Indiscretion A Novel

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