Georgette Heyer Fans discussion

How are you finding this book so far?

I'm re-reading this for the umpteenth time. This time I'm reading the e-book version of the Sourcebooks trade paperback.
Having a great time!

All right, about Vincent. Before the deaths of Oliver and Granville, Vincent thought that the line of succession was:
Granville - Oliver - Matthew - Vincent.

Lord Darracott was 80, but full of life. So after he passed, there would still be three people between Vincent and the title. Also, Oliver could have married and had sons, which would place Vincent even farther from the title. So how did Vincent have time to nurse his expectations of someday being the baron to the point where he was so resentful of Hugo?

Vincent acts as if something he had taken as a given for his entire life was stolen from him. Yet he only had about three months of thinking he would likely inherit the title.

Yes, but he did have those three months, and they were in the immediate past. So just when he got his hopes up, they were dashed! And even though his father was to inherit before him, his father presumably would have helped him financially, and he would have had the expectation of a title. Plus he seems to be of an inherently resentful disposition—a junior Lord Darracott.

Ah, 'inherently resentful disposition' indeed! That is Vincent to a T!

I'm not up to Vincent entering the story, but I always thought it was about the money. 3 months would be more than enough time to get used to the idea of one day not having to ask for money. & being heir to a title may be enough of a lure to snag a heiress!

Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "I'm not up to Vincent entering the story, but I always thought it was about the money. 3 months would be more than enough time to get used to the idea of one day not having to ask for money. & bein..."

Agreed Carol!

It's a little like being judged a winner of a competition, then finding out that there was some sort of error and one is NOTvthe winner.

Good points, both!

Vincent resents being so dependent on, and having to be obedient to, Lord Darracott, and his parents. Then, finally being able to see himself free from that control would really mean something to him.

I have to say that the proposal scene in chapter 13 is probably my favorite proposal in all of Heyer. And coming so early in the book, too! Anthea doggedly resistant, Hugo beating her out of her every objection, in the sweetest way. Be still, my heart! Just delicious.

I'm loving Claude! Saying that Richmond would be capering around in a nightshift pretending to be the ghost and that nothing would induce him to spend the night there because he'd get an inflammation of the lungs cracked me up!

I just got to the proposal scene, Abigail, and I agree that it's lovely!

It's a good proposal scene - but the romance is weaker in this book than in many. While I don't care for Heyer's mysteries, this book was almost a mystery - saved by having considerable humor.

It is weaker in that the romance is more based on words and humor than on actions, but it seems that although we're not privy to Anthea's thoughts, Hugo doesn't doubt that she does return his love. By the time she walks into his arms, it's obvious that this will be a lasting, satisfying connection.

how many books did she write that are mostly the man's POV? this is like The Tollgate in that, also in the more of a mystery type book.

Howard wrote: "It's a good proposal scene - but the romance is weaker in this book than in many. While I don't care for Heyer's mysteries, this book was almost a mystery - saved by having considerable humor."

I would not call the romance weak, compared to other GH books especially. It is a refreshingly sweet, slow growth of feelings, which I think completely believable between two such characters, who seem quite suited for each other.

What drew me to my husband was his sense of humor, and, like Anthea, I think a lot of the reason he was so appealing was because humor was lacking in my life at that time. Humor is still our saving grace, although I can see that it's not romantic to most people. I'm not sure we'd have made it through the decades we have without it!

Getting back to Vincent (view spoiler)[ if Hugo hadn't existed, things may have worsened for him. The masterful (mistressful?) Aurelia would not have consented to being bled for money when Matthew inherited! (hide spoiler)]

And I really appreciated Aurelia - a woman of few words and a lot of discernment.

Aurelia always knew what was up.

Vincent does sort of redeem himself towards the ending, but I wonder if he'll revert to type when the crisis is over, or if he'll let it do him some good. Claud, on the other hand, will just muddle on in his own interesting way - half fop, half nice human being!

Maybe Hugo will be generous enough to bestow a property on Vincent that will give him financial independence and some sense of responsibility. A monetary allowance would not be the way to go however. It would just continue his feelings of dependence and resentment.
Of course whether Vincent would accept is another matter!

Claud often speaks the truth, in the most embarrassing way.

What is a "Demi-beau?"

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "What is a "Demi-beau?""

Happen it means the same as a 'once-a-week-beau"??

Karlyne wrote: "I'm loving Claude! Saying that Richmond would be capering around in a nightshift pretending to be the ghost and that nothing would induce him to spend the night there because he'd get an inflammati..."

There was a very funny moment where Claude is responding to something some one has said to him and his collar is so high he has to turn his whole head round in order to respond!

Howard wrote: "It's a good proposal scene - but the romance is weaker in this book than in many. While I don't care for Heyer's mysteries, this book was almost a mystery - saved by having considerable humor."

I think I'm just about to get to the proposal scene but I do find there to be a lack of romance so far and I am missing it. On the other hand I am very much enjoying learning about the Gentlemen and how the smuggling involves the whole community and also how the staff are much more filled out in this story and really part of the story.

I finally listened to my very favorite part: where Lord Darracott and Vincent find out Hugo is rich. The Old Lord is so floored he can't think of a thing to say while Hugo goes on and on about machinery at the mill. He also lets the old man know how much more he looks up to his other Granddad.
The proposal was sweet, I'll agree. Hugo is like Captain Staple in Tollgate: he knew what he wanted right away!

Haven't got to the proposal yet but looking forward to it based on your comments. I love the names she comes up with, Crimplesham and Polyphant! I loved the scene where the two of them were in Hugo's room and were 'at it hammer and tongs' as my Grandmother used to say. One trying to outdo the other in obsequiousness!! Priceless!!

You all make me want to read it all over again!

Susan in NC wrote: "You all make me want to read it all over again!"

Do it, Susan!! :D

Some thoughts here early in the 2nd half:

The Darracotts claim great pride in their history and title, but there's no money in it. Almost all of them are dependent on the tyrannical Lord D. The only exceptions? Hugo and Claud. Hugo is supposed to be awed and grateful at being brought into the family, but he is the only one of them who can walk away if he chooses.

The servants continue to play an important role, especially with the arrival of Crimplesham's nephew Ferring. Interesting that, just as Hugo, the lowly "weaver's brat" is now elevated to the position of heir apparent, Ferring, although a novice, takes precedence above his uncle as valet to the heir.

And we finally hear from John Joseph, who obviously sees what's what. His description of Anthea -- "eyeable" -- perfect!

Critterbee wrote: "Aurelia always knew what was up."

I loved her reaction to Lord Darracott's blustering that he "did not know what he had done to be cursed with a blubberheaded commoner for his heir." Lady Aurelia "could have furnished him with several reasons, but she remained true to her traditions, hearing him out in high-bred silence ... ." Wouldn't you love to see her do a Mrs. Orde on him and pay off some old scores? You know she has plenty of material!

I love Lady Aurelia! Some of my favorite quotes about her:

After spending the evening playing cards, "she gathered up her fan and her reticule, and said graciously, 'Well, that was very diverting! You would have stared, I daresay, Matthew, had you seen us being so foolish and cutting such jokes!'
Matthew had never known his wife to cut jokes, or to behave foolishly, but he accepted this without a blink," (138).

Confronting Ottershaw in the kitchens as they perform their parts in the grand deception: "She then turned, and looked round the room, with all the lofty contempt natural to the descendant of eleven Earls, all of whom, if not otherwise distinguished, had been remarkable for the high-handed and very successful way with which they had dealt with inferior persons, and overridden all opposition to their domestic decrees. No one saw these august personages range themselves at Lady Aurelia's back, but (as her appreciative elder son afterwards asserted) no one could doubt that they had all of them hurried to the support of so worthy a daughter," (328).

I love the way she wields her majestic air with such deadly effect. And this passage just flows as smoothly as silk!

I'm listening to the finale, where the family come together to save Richmond from The Law by throwing Claude under the bus, basically. it'd wonderful, of course.

but I'm wondering if Hugo will then give up the accent he has been using all this time - since the first dinner. He's doing it now for Ottershaw, of course, but will it go away when the Lt does??

Nay, Lass! Hugo will always slip back into Yorkshire dialect, especially when he's teasing his relations and his own fairest lass, Anthea. I suspect he'll teach both Richmond and Anthea to talk right gradely.

Jackie wrote: "...but I'm wondering if Hugo will then give up the accent he has been using all this time - since the first dinner. He's doing it now for Ottershaw, of course, but will it go away when the Lt does."

I imagine he will use it off and on. He was enjoying himself by using it.

Jackie wrote: "I'm listening to the finale, where the family come together to save Richmond from The Law by throwing Claude under the bus, basically. it'd wonderful, of course.

but I'm wondering if Hugo will the..."

I think regional accents among the upper classes were still not uncommon at this time - i remember seeing a programme about jane Austen once in which the actress portaying her spoke with a Hampshire accent. the idea that regional accents were vulgar i think had not yet taken hold.

Critterbee said "Claud often speaks the truth, in the most embarrassing way."

Yes and that is why I enjoy him so much. He actually takes after his mother. She is very wise and "awake upon all suits."

The servants crack me up and literally make me laugh out loud.

The final few chapters are very exciting. I couldn't put it down. I had completely forgotten what happened.

Hugo finally reveals his true nature. His tendency to levity would drive me crazy but he comes through when it counts. As for accents, I don't have a local state accent but when I moved away from home, sometimes I found myself cutting the r off the end of words and turning it into an a. When I'm home though, I don't speak with an accent. My best friend gets worse when she's with her husband or someone else who has a "wicked" local accent. It drives me crazy because she didn't talk like that before. Actors from Boston like Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon have lost some of their accent but can put it back when they need to and exaggerate it for TV and the movies. I think Hugo's accent is like that.

QNPoohBear wrote: "When I'm home though, I don't speak with an accent"

I had a boss one time - her sister later became Mrs. Bill Gates. One time I heard her talking long distance to her mom in Texas - with a very strong Texan accent that I never heard her use before or sense. She adjusted to her native accent.

As a kid, we moved up and down the West Coast, and once when we were living in San Diego, all my classmates made a big deal about my northern (Washington State) accent. Which still cracks me up.

Having moved all over the place, I have noticed my English pronunciation and vocabulary choice alter based upon location. It is a way of trying to communicate effectively.

My state's dialect is so peculiar we have a dictionary. Maybe Hugo will write a dictionary for the rest of the family to understand him.

There's always this: https://www.amazon.com/new-glossary-d... -- to which J.R.R. Tolkien contributed a Foreword!

Looks like fun, Margaret!

What is "an ordinary"? (as a place to eat)

I've always thought it was a pub, but it's apparently a meal at a fixed price and time, served in an inn!