Rating: 
Summary: a thoroughly worthwhile and wonderful read
Review: Usually, Regency-era romance novels fall into certain cateogories -- one category includes the types of plots on which the hero and heroine have previously parted ways because on a BIG MISUNDERSTANDING and the entire book deals with how they work through this misunderstanding when they finally meet up; or else there is the category that includes either the hero or heroine going up to London for a Season and meeting with all kinds of adventures while falling in love along the way; and then there is the category that involves the heroine becoming involved with either a murder or spy investigation that the hero in conducting; also the couple who marry for convenience and then discover love with each other category -- but there are also novels that don't fall into easily defined categories, and Nancy Butler's "Prospero's Daughter" is one of those. Actually, I rather think that it was a storyline that I've never come across before in a 'light' Regency-era romance, and it was a gem of a read.Three years ago, a disastrous carriage accident had left Miranda Runyon an orphan, scarred and without the use of her arms and legs. Feeling alone, numb and completely hopeless, Miranda has led the life of a complete invalid, staying in bed all day accept for a brief sojourn to the garden for some fresh air. Her relatives' (the father's cousins, the Palfrys) habit of isolating and ignoring her existence hasn't helped matters either. Indeed, it has only reinforced her feelings of alienation and bitterness. And then, one day, she meets a strange young man in the garden. But instead of reeling away from her in disgust and revulsion, this young man proceeds to engage her in conversation. Angry that he has broken in on her solitude, Miranda rebuffs this friendly stranger, but he seems intent on ignoring her rudeness. Who is this strange gentleman and why does he want to spend time with a scarred cripple like her when her beautiful (and whole) cousins are at hand to entertain and charm? Morgan Pearce had bowed to his friend's (Ronald) persuasion to go to Ronald's father's estate and to help the older gentleman with his memoirs. On the surface, everything at Palfry Park seems to be delightful -- the beauty of the estate to his genial host and his host's beautiful daughters. That is, until he comes across ignored cousin Miranda in the garden. Morgan is appalled at how the Palfrys have treated Miranda, and is determined to help the stubborn woman in spite of herself. But how to make her accept his help? In the clash of wills that follows, an unexpected friendship and bond develops between the two. But where will this bond take them? And are either Miranda or Morgan ready to explore this unexpected development? Nancy Butler has penned another gem! True, there is very little of the unexpected in this novel -- you know who will pair off with whom and you more or less know that at some point the bottom is going to fall out of Miranda's and Morgan's world -- and yet, I found myself eagerly turning the pages, reading to see what will happen next. And while main plot did revolve around the friendship and gentle blossoming of a romance between Morgan and Miranda, there were also two other subplots involving Morgan's sister, Kitty, and another involving Morgan's uneasy relationship with this father. All these get resolved nicely and smoothly, so that you actually get the sense of reading a much, much longer book. All the characters (secondary and primary) were well developed and realised. I thought that the authour had done a really good job in developing Miranda's character -- we get to see her blossom from a sullen and bitter woman to a much stronger, more self assured and more hopeful young lady. The other thing that I really liked about this novel was that it was a really beautiful love story that hadn't been spoilt with nay really silly plot contrivances. If I had any complaints it was that a thoroughly nice young man was being threatened with a match with a rather unpleasant young lady. (You'll have to read the book to find out who!) All in all, a thoroughly worthwhile and wonderful read.
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