Compromised

Recently returned to 1829 London after years spent abroad with their ambassador father, the two Alton sisters are preparing for their “Season”—at least beautiful demure Evangeline is. Too tall, too outspoken and too intelligent Gail, however, views the prospect with horror. Escaping the household turbulence for a peaceful early morning ride in the park, Gail finds herself knocked into a lake when an overbearing, well-dressed gentleman, Maximillian, Viscount Fontaine, can't control his horse. Gail's temper flares when he blames her for the accident. She's justly upset, then, when he's seen kissing Evangeline in the family's moonlit conservatory during her debut ball. Since Max's father has ordered Max to find a wife in three months or be disinherited, the beautiful Evangeline suits as well as any woman, but—surprise—Max soon finds himself obsessed with witty Gail. All's well that ends well, but numerous overwritten passages and an incongruous subplot compromise the story's good humor. (Mar.)