# Prudence Tremaine — The Masqueraders character guide > Prudence Tremaine in The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Prudence, Prue, Mistress Prudence, Madam Prudence, the Honourable Prudence Tremaine **First appearance:** 0001-the-masqueraders ## Snapshot A quick-witted young woman who trades petticoats for breeches to navigate London's drawing rooms, fencing with gossip and suitors alike while keeping her true identity hidden. ## Who they are Prudence moves through fashionable London as the elegant young man 'Mr. Merriot,' her composure and sharp tongue earning her a place in circles where her brother's recklessness would betray them. She carries the weight of the family's Jacobite past, weighing her father's grand schemes against the quieter, more dangerous business of simply surviving under a new name. Her wary friendship with Sir Anthony Fanshawe complicates everything: he suspects more than he says, and she finds herself wishing she could tell him the truth. ## Relationships ### [Sir Anthony Fanshawe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/sir_anthony_fanshawe) _romantic_ Prudence and Sir Anthony share a deep, passionate romantic bond, marked by mutual admiration and eventual union. ### [Robin Tremaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/robin_tremaine) _family_ Prudence and Robin are siblings, sharing a strong, protective, and affectionate bond as brother and sister. ### [Lady Lowestoft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/lady_lowestoft) _rivalry_ Lady Lowestoft sees Prudence as a romantic rival and treats her with jealousy and hostility. ### [Mr. Merriot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/mr_merriot) _romantic_ Mr. Merriot is a suitor to Prudence, though his attentions are part of a larger romantic entanglement. ### [Lord Clevedale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/lord_clevedale) _romantic_ Lord Clevedale pursues Prudence romantically, but his interest is possessive and unwelcome. ### [Letty Grayson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/letty_grayson) _friendship_ Letty and Prudence are friends, though Letty's romantic interest in Robin sometimes causes strain. ### [John Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/john_burton) _professional_ John Burton serves Prudence as a loyal servant, assisting her in various tasks. ### [Sir Anthony Fanshawe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/sir_anthony_fanshawe) _romantic_ Prudence and Sir Anthony share a deep, passionate romantic bond, marked by mutual admiration and eventual union. ### [Sir Anthony Fanshawe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/sir_anthony_fanshawe) _romantic_ Prudence and Sir Anthony share a deep, passionate romantic bond, marked by mutual admiration and eventual union. ### [Robin Tremaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/robin_tremaine) _family_ Prudence and Robin are siblings, sharing a strong, protective, and affectionate bond as brother and sister. ### [Robin Tremaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/robin_tremaine) _family_ Prudence and Robin are siblings, sharing a strong, protective, and affectionate bond as brother and sister. ### [John Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/john_burton) _professional_ John Burton serves Prudence as a loyal servant, assisting her in various tasks. ## In the story ### [The Masqueraders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/the-masqueraders) Disguised as Miss Merriot, she navigates the inn with wit and composure, maintaining the family's false identity. ### [My Lady Lowestoft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/iii-my-lady-lowestoft) Arrives at Lady Lowestoft's disguised as Mr. Merriot; shows fatigue but maintains composure; reflects on their travels and the rebellion. ### [Mistress Prudence to Herself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/iv-mistress-prudence-to-herself) Dines with Lady Lowestoft, steers conversation toward Sir Anthony, and later reflects on her masquerade and feelings about Sir Anthony. ### [Sir Humphrey Grayson Waits Upon Mr. Merriot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/v-sir-humphrey-grayson-waits-upon-mr-merriot) Disguised as Mr. Merriot, she receives Sir Humphrey and tries to downplay her role in Letty's rescue. ### [The Polite World Receives Mr. and Miss Merriot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/vi-the-polite-world-receives-mr-and-miss-merriot) Disguised as Mr. Merriot, she plays picquet with Sir Francis Jollyot and later Sir Anthony Fanshawe, revealing her skill and wit. ### [A Taste of a Large Gentleman's Temper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/vii-a-taste-of-a-large-gentleman-s-temper) Disguised as Peter Merriot; rides with Belfort, maintains disguise, observes Lord Barham, declines Sir Anthony's invitation. ### [The Black Domino](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/viii-the-black-domino) Dressed in crimson silk, she prepares for the ball and discovers Robin's male disguise. ### [IX: Mohocks Abroad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/ix-mohocks-abroad) Visits Robin in bed, goes to White's, attends Devereux's card party, is attacked by Mohocks, and is rescued by Belfort; suspects Markham's involvement. ### [X: Sudden and Startling Appearance of the Old Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/x-sudden-and-startling-appearance-of-the-old-gentleman) Present at the rout; observes the old gentleman's entrance with amusement and later discusses the risks of the imposture with Robin and Lady Lowestoft. ### [XI: My Lord Barham in Arlington Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xi-my-lord-barham-in-arlington-street) Present with Robin and Lady Lowestoft; she engages with Lord Barham's claims with wit and skepticism, swinging a booted leg. ### [XII: Passage of Arms Between Prudence and Sir Anthony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xii-passage-of-arms-between-prudence-and-sir-anthony) Engages in a tense conversation with Robin and Lady Lowestoft about the old gentleman's claim; later rides with Sir Anthony, skillfully deflecting his probing questions while feeling a warm affection for him. ### [Encounter at White's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xiii-encounter-at-white-s) Present at White's as Peter Merriot; twitted by Sir Anthony about Lord Barham's attentions to Kate Merriot. ### [My Lord Barham Becomes Mysterious](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xiv-my-lord-barham-becomes-mysterious) Warns her father about Sir Anthony Fanshawe's watchfulness; discusses Robin's attachment to Letty Grayson. ### [Challenge to Mr. Merriot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xv-challenge-to-mr-merriot) As Mr. Merriot, she is challenged by Rensley and accepts the duel to defend her honor, despite her fear and the risk of exposure. ### [XVI: Unaccountable Behaviour of Sir Anthony Fanshawe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xvi-unaccountable-behaviour-of-sir-anthony-fanshawe) Disguised as Mr. Merriot, accepts Sir Anthony's dinner invitation but is inwardly anxious about her secret. ### [Sad Falling Out of Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xvii-sad-falling-out-of-friends) Disguised as Peter Merriot, she learns that Rensley's duel with Fanshawe prevents their meeting; she feels relief but feigns anger, and later informs Robin. ### [The Large Gentleman Is Awake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xviii-the-large-gentleman-is-awake) Dines with Sir Anthony, confronts him about the duel with Rensley, and reveals her true name and situation. ### [Meeting in Arlington Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xix-meeting-in-arlington-street) Agitated after Sir Anthony's proposal, she avoids Robin and later asks Sir Anthony to stand back from the family's dangerous schemes. ### [Ingenuity of My Lord Barham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xx-ingenuity-of-my-lord-barham) Confides in Robin about Sir Anthony discovering her true identity; feels troubled by the change in their dynamic. ### [Proceedings of Mr. Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xxi-proceedings-of-mr-markham) Flirts with Sir Anthony at the ball, unaware of Letty's plight. ### [Tortuous Methods of My Lord Barham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xxii-tortuous-methods-of-my-lord-barham) Preoccupied with her own affairs, she shows little interest in Robin's concerns about John's new behavior. ### [Return of Miss Grayson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xxiv-return-of-miss-grayson) Waits anxiously for Robin after the duel, helps with the chaise, and orchestrates the rescue of Letty on the road. ### [Mystery of the Masked Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xxv-mystery-of-the-masked-man) Presented as Miss Merriot; sits in the window in a blue gown; defends her decision to keep Sir Anthony out of danger but reluctantly promises to include him. ### [Arrest of Mr. Merriot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xxvi-arrest-of-mr-merriot) Disguised as Mr. Merriot, she is arrested for Markham's murder after Rensley's tip-off. She maintains composure and sends a message to Robin via a lackey. ### [XXVII: Violence on the King's High Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xxvii-violence-on-the-king-s-high-road) Arrested for Markham's murder, held in the coach, but freed by Sir Anthony's ambush; escapes with him on horseback. ### [The Ride Through the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xxix-the-ride-through-the-night) Rides with Sir Anthony, confesses her past and doubts about being Lady Fanshawe, falls asleep in the barn. ### [XXXI: The Honourable Robin Tremaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xxxi-the-honourable-robin-tremaine) Mentioned as having masqueraded as Peter Merriot; Robin plans to fetch her from Dartrey. ### [Journey's End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/chapters/xxxii-journey-s-end) Now dressed in women's clothing at Dartrey; happy with Sir Anthony and prepares to return to Barham Court. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters/prudence_tremaine - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_masqueraders_se/characters