According to Janet Mullany, author of “The Rules of Gentility", “she set out to write a Regency version of "Bridget Jones’s Diary." She may not have succeeded in that but she has created an entertaining novel that has a very saucy side. Her characters are well developed, likable and more importantly she has managed to be quite historically accurate in her assessment of the foibles of Regency society.
The book is written in two voices, both the female and the male main characters. It makes for a very easy book to read and it may just be that you will not be able to put it down. The plot of “The Rules of Gentility” has a certain predictability and the ending is hardly a surprise however, the conversations along the way make it a good read.
The name of the main character is Philomena Wellesley-Clegg. She is an heiress. While that makes her a good catch, she does have her issues as far as the “Ton” is concerned. She is from trade. Her father owns a coal mine. She has a dear friend from her school days who has married into a very proper family. This friend is sponsoring Philomena and through her friend Julia, Lady Tarrent, she comes into contact with the dubious hero, Inigo Linsley.
Their first meeting is hilarious. Philomena thinks that Inigo is a servant and tries to hand him her packages to carry into Julia’s house so that she can get her opinion of some new hats that she has purchased. Philomena is quite the expert when it comes to haberdashery. Julia comes out and welcomes Inigo, causing Philomena to become quite embarrassed when she realizes her error. Not a great beginning, but she does notice that he is very good looking.
Inigo is a very typical Regency gentleman. A younger son, he is according to Philomena, “the wicked brother who often spends time in the country cooling his heels”. He, for his part, thinks she is quite silly but also finds her attractive.
What ensues is a comedy with a few steamy moments as the two main characters fight their attraction to each other.
Philomena has a list she has created of the possible men to fill the position of husband. Her list is quite unimpressive and it turns out that some of her suitors are more interested in each other, than in her. A false engagement between the hero and the heroine is announced and they both agree to keep it a secret. Enter the villain who is too ridiculous to even be taken seriously.
Some parts of the book are pretty silly. Julia, Philomena and some friends want to rescue fallen women. They have no idea what they are doing and their Association for the Rescue and Succor of those in Extremis has been nicknamed "ARSE" by male members of the Ton. Inigo improbably takes them to a house of ill repute and mayhem ensues.
Several subplots are inane and unnecessary but, at the end of the day, this is a very enjoyable book to read and, as with the works of Jane Austen, you want to know what happened to this couple when the book closes. "The Rules of Gentility" will appeal to lovers of romance, the Regency Period and Jane Austen.
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