Fantasy series. Prudence is the child of Lord Maccon and Alexa Tarrabottie but has been brought up by Lord Akeldama because her magic makes it safer for her to live apart from her parents. She has had regular contact with them and sees herself as having three parents. When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama ("Rue" to her friends) is bequeathed an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female under similar circumstances would do -- she christens it the Spotted Custard and floats off to India.

Soon, she stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier's wife, and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis (and an embarrassing lack of bloomers), Rue must rely on her good breeding -- and her metanatural abilities -- to get to the bottom of it all. . .