In 1820 Princess Ariadne of a lost European principality
has been in London for six seasons and is still unwed. She
thinks it might be time to take a lover. Her friend Emma is
shocked - how can she think of a lover when she's not even
married? But Ariadne is bored, and she'll soon be twenty-
five, old enough to inherit her wealth. She has decided to
be her own woman, however unfashionable.
THE TROUBLE WITH PRINCESSES is that so few men are eligible
to marry them, and so many of those men are already
relatives. Emma's brother Rupert for instance is a prince,
and they've known each other for years, and meet each other
in London where Rupert has to listen to the Belgian
Ambassador's complaints about the state of the roads since
Napoleon's turmoil. While Rupert is being encouraged to
marry responsibly, Ariadne would not be considered suitable
as she has no country - 'an empty legacy'. Finding Ariadne
kissing a gentleman - as an experiment - however makes
Rupert consider her in a new light.
"Honestly, he's worse than a Spanish duenna!" thinks the
young lady as Rupert prowls around anywhere she might be
meeting men, whether out riding or at a party. She knows
he's determined to protect her reputation but surely by the
advanced age of twenty-four she should be able to run her
own life. Ariadne also attends quiet meetings to hear a
speaker on the prospects for economic and social
advancement of women. Rupert even shows up there, though
he's unimpressed. Finally the prince makes a radical
proposal to Ariadne, which he says will serve both their
interests. She doesn't know what to say, the more so when
she receives a genuine proposal of marriage....
This is a lively and witty tale at times, with additions
like Rupert's teaching Ariadne to drive a carriage, but the
focus is on a growing relationship which includes adult
scenes, before an abduction throws everything into
turmoil. Duty and reputation meant so much in those
times. I thought that the same bedroom scene taking a
couple of chapters did seem overdone, and I would have
liked a sub-plot as the story occasionally felt repetitive.
However Tracy Warren has concentrated on character
exploration and THE TROUBLE WITH PRINCESSES will please
many readers who want a light romantic read.
On the threshold of receiving her royal inheritance and
tired of the London Marriage Mart, Ariadne has decided to
defy convention and declare her independence. She will not
seek a husband?she will take a lover instead, no matter how
notorious she may become.
The prince of a small European kingdom, renowned
bachelor Rupert Whyte, is in London to enjoy a last bit of
freedom before choosing a wife. When he learns about
Ariadne's scheme to take a lover, he decides he must prevent
her from embarking on such a ruinous course.
What begins as a well–deserved reprimand quickly
spins out of control when Rupert agrees to give Ariadne a
few lessons in lust. But just how far will their passion go?
And will their forbidden liaison lead them too far astray to
turn back?
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