This is a tremendous story; the characters grow as they interact. Roseanna is beautiful and witty, while her older sister Prudence runs the household and keeps the family in line. Only a year separates the girls, but their parents hope to save the family's fortunes by Rosanna contracting an advantageous marriage. All of the family's limited finances are used to promote Rosanna.
Prudence is the family drudge, without a beau or any male interested in her. Rosanna's cup runs over with males. Haughty Rosanna decides she doesn't want the ribbon (love token) sent by Dr. Parker Humphreys. The doctor has abysmal handwriting, and the name and address are unclear. Uninterested, Rosanna tosses the message and ribbon on Prudence's bed.
Since the name is unclear, Prudence thinks she has received the missive and gift and is excited. Parker realizes the mistake at the next party but does not want to hurt Prudence's feelings. This story is involved because, after Prudence and Parker become friendly, Rosanna realizes that Parker may be a lowly physician but is a man of character. She decides she wants him. Now, the stage is set for a showdown between the two sisters. This is high drama and fascinating reading.
M A Nichols is such an engaging writer because her characters are so complex. It's almost as if this author paints her story into an impossible situation and then spends the rest of the book finding a way to resolve the impossibility. She creates an accurate tone of the era in which these characters move. Wonderful reading.
Prudence is the family drudge, without a beau or any male interested in her. Rosanna's cup runs over with males. Haughty Rosanna decides she doesn't want the ribbon (love token) sent by Dr. Parker Humphreys. The doctor has abysmal handwriting, and the name and address are unclear. Uninterested, Rosanna tosses the message and ribbon on Prudence's bed.
Since the name is unclear, Prudence thinks she has received the missive and gift and is excited. Parker realizes the mistake at the next party but does not want to hurt Prudence's feelings. This story is involved because, after Prudence and Parker become friendly, Rosanna realizes that Parker may be a lowly physician but is a man of character. She decides she wants him. Now, the stage is set for a showdown between the two sisters. This is high drama and fascinating reading.
M A Nichols is such an engaging writer because her characters are so complex. It's almost as if this author paints her story into an impossible situation and then spends the rest of the book finding a way to resolve the impossibility. She creates an accurate tone of the era in which these characters move. Wonderful reading.
