The reader knows at once that this will be a delightful story because the parents of the heroine, Arabella Tallant, are such lovely people individually and together. It is obvious that Arabella's mother could have married a wealthy man but chose a modest country clergyman. The couple fell in love immediately and are very happy with their lives and their 8 children.
Although wealth is beyond the parents, Mrs. Tallant has been saving her coins to offer her eldest daughter a London Season. Arabella is very attractive and may be able to help her younger sisters to good marriage partners if she can find a wealthy husband in London. Arabella's godmother offers to host her for the season. So off Arabella goes to London.
Along the way, Arabella's borrowed carriage breaks down and she appears at the door of the wealthy Robert Beaumaris. While there, she overhears hurtful comments by Beaumaris and his friend. Arabella tells the two men confidentially that she is an heiress dressed incognito so that she can move about London without inciting fortune-hunters to wear her out. Beaumaris knows that Arabella is fudging but is amused.
As one of the style-setting ton, Beaumaris enjoys setting Arabella up in London society, which subjects her to the attention of many fortune-hunters. Beaumaris soon sees another side of Arabella when she protects an abused chimney sweep and then an awful-looking mongrel. When Arabella looks to Beaumaris to help her rescue the unfortunates, he learns that he rather likes helping. Before long, he comes to Arabella's brother's rescue too.
I've learned that this is one of Georgina Heyer's most beloved novels. It is obvious why; the dialogue is charming and sprightly. The author understands her characters and offers insights into the Regency period of time in England. I've decided that I'm going to read this book again because I listened to it this time and felt that I didn't garner many charming morsels because of hearing (not reading) it.
Although wealth is beyond the parents, Mrs. Tallant has been saving her coins to offer her eldest daughter a London Season. Arabella is very attractive and may be able to help her younger sisters to good marriage partners if she can find a wealthy husband in London. Arabella's godmother offers to host her for the season. So off Arabella goes to London.
Along the way, Arabella's borrowed carriage breaks down and she appears at the door of the wealthy Robert Beaumaris. While there, she overhears hurtful comments by Beaumaris and his friend. Arabella tells the two men confidentially that she is an heiress dressed incognito so that she can move about London without inciting fortune-hunters to wear her out. Beaumaris knows that Arabella is fudging but is amused.
As one of the style-setting ton, Beaumaris enjoys setting Arabella up in London society, which subjects her to the attention of many fortune-hunters. Beaumaris soon sees another side of Arabella when she protects an abused chimney sweep and then an awful-looking mongrel. When Arabella looks to Beaumaris to help her rescue the unfortunates, he learns that he rather likes helping. Before long, he comes to Arabella's brother's rescue too.
I've learned that this is one of Georgina Heyer's most beloved novels. It is obvious why; the dialogue is charming and sprightly. The author understands her characters and offers insights into the Regency period of time in England. I've decided that I'm going to read this book again because I listened to it this time and felt that I didn't garner many charming morsels because of hearing (not reading) it.
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