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.
Heyer is a marvelous writer. Fashioning humor and scandal in Victorian England with as much modesty as a covered ankle. In this tale a maid in her first season tells one lie and it sets the Ton on its ear. Whoops!
One of Georgette Heyer's most delightful Regencies!
This is the best Cinderella-type regency that I have EVER read. Heyer has a wonderful gift and a unique sense of humor that is unequalled.
Arabella is the eldest daughter of a poor vicar and his wife who has pinned all her hopes on her eldest, most beautiful offspring marrying a rich man in order to help the family. The mother engineers a season in London for Arabella and while she was on the way, Arabella meets the wealthy, handsome Mr. Robert Beaumaris. They clash, he is entranced, she is in love and Arabella's season is unlike any other you'll ever read.
Mongrel dogs, chimney sweeps and limping prostitutes, not to mention gin-drinking babies are but a taste of what you might encounter in this wonderful romantic tale of love winning against all the odds.
Prepare to laugh out loud and long many times throughout the book!
I've loved Heyer books since high school and Arabella is in my top 5 favorites. Love the way she describes her characters so I feel I'm seeing them myself. Arabella is a strong innocent passionate young lady and helping the chimney sweep boy, the small ugly dog being battered by a group of boys is what she does best. The fact that "society " frowns on these actives does not deter what she knows is right. The fact that the uptight Mr, Beaumaris seems to always help her resolve her problems is confusing. The banter is delightful and Heyer paints with her words.
A delightful, light-weight read.
Arabella is a character that endears herself to the reader. She has spunk that gets her into mischief and her background of being raised by a loving family who's father is the local vicar sometimes rears its head at the most uncomfortable times for her godmother who is sponsoring her London season. When challenged, she tells Robert Beaumaris she is not chaising after him for his money implying she is wealthy in her own right; he sees through her but decides he'll play along because she brings some excitement into his boring life. She rescues a young climbing boy from the chimney; he volunteers to house him. She rescues a stray dog being abused by several boys; he takes the dog home and uses his progress reports as a ploy to see her often; She befriends "leaky peg" and thanks her for helping her brother when he gets into trouble. She agrees to marry Alverstoke to get the money her brother needs only to find she cannot deceive him. It's a delightful read and one that will not disappoint those who enjoy a good love story set in Regency times.
This book was a little silly, and I thought it wasn't going to be one of my favorites. However, the hero and his dog were so loveable, and made me laugh so much that I changed my mind. So far I've loved every Heyer book that I have read and this one is no exception.
