(For OBM, and any other fans) Georgette Heyer Appreciation Society

[wombling]

Thought it was a good idea to start this lw, so we stopped cluttering up the Austen Thread (thanks onebatmother, for the suggestion). But I have only just managed to get around to it, so is there anyone else out there who is keen?

What are your favourites, I love These Old Shades, Devils Cub, The Grand Sophy and Venetia. I also managed to discover a historical novel I didn't know wbout "The Great Roxhythe", unfortunately out of print. When googling, I also managed to find www.georgetteheyer.com, which is a mine of info I didn't know about, esp about her modern novels.

My dear Mrs Bat, let it not be said that I am one for spreading on-dits all over Town, but the scandal around Sir Percy's conduct grows ever worse! Lord Vapid lies dying, so it is said, in his chambers at the Albany, while Sir Percy has fled for France in a packet from Rye. They say Bow Street is hard on his heels and he may yet be overtaken!

Madame Volatile! I beg you, descend!

{the door is opened}

Madame Volatile! I protest - we are both undone! You for your support of Miss R, now that she has accepted Carte Blanche from some drawling Buck. And I, for my lackadaisical care of Miss Ghostly. Yes, you will hardly credit it, but she is vanished! She went for some mauve ribbons, as cool as you please, and never returned!

Mrs Bat, Madame Volatile, do not despair. Let me reveal the identity of my new admirer. He is none other than the Duke of Haughty. He is swimming in lard, loves nothing better than plunging deep at the tables, and always honours his vowels. And he has offered me carte blanche. I am to be set up in a magnificent house in Clarges Street with my own carriage drawn by four match bays and he has gone to Tattersall's today to purchase a pair of cream ponies for my new high-perch phaeton, for he knows I am accounted a famous whip. Do let me take you ladies up for a tool round the Park, I vow 'twill be delightful to see how people stare.
I cannot tarry a moment, I am off to Bond Street to visit my mantuamaker and my milliner, for the Duke has pressed me to order as many gowns as I think fit and I feel it is my duty to shine everyone else down, being as my dear Duke says, 'a diamond of the first water' when I make my first public appearance as his Incognita - we go to the Opera tonight and then on to Lady Fridayface's ball.

Mrs Bat! I vow I am near dead for laughing and have no hesitation in stigmatizing Rosa as a Strumpet of the first order, dazzled by a glamorous Title and Equipment of The First Stare!

As for Miss Ghosty I believe her to be lying abed with a Decline, for fear that the Ton will shun her unless she shuns us, her real friends......

And La, ly dearest Mrs Bat (or may I call you Euphonia? such a charming if little used name), I must also thank you for your courtesy in recognising my Parisien origins and addressing my correctly as Madame!! So rare to find such nicety of taste among the English.

Now to more mercenary matters, I am afraid, ma cherie! - Miss Ghosty has not been seen in Town since Friday - do not tell me she has fled the scene, for THAT I cannot believe, especially as her dear brother has himself disappeared from view......

I vow and declare, Polite Society is getting vastly thin on the ground, is it not? Are there no other members of the TON willing to put in an appearance upon this glittering stage?

And to the mysterious Cyprian who styles herself BarqueofFrailty: perchance you have had a Hand in this mischance? Perhaps it is time you came to the aid of those of us - my dear Euphonia included - whose entire reputations depend on this scandal being hushed up?

La, you all think yourselves very fine in your ways. But you will stare when I tell you my news. I'faith, tis true that Lord Percy has fled to France. But he sends for me to join him directly! I am to draw on his bank for such necessaries as I might need for the journey and then I am to join my Beloved. I dare swear that he intends to make an honest woman of me

for he sends word that he has heard tell of a most reputable priest in Dijon! La, to see Miss Rosa's face when I return a married woman!

I too am very concerned by the disappearance of Miss Ghosty. Surely, she cannot have embarked for France with Sir Percy after all the Warnings she has been Given about his Rakish propensities. She would not have risked her reputation in such a Foolhardy manner.

Miss Rosa! I heave with laughter! (Though please be certain that I could, of course, no longer admit you at Bat House)

And Madame, you are quite right. Where is Miss Ghosty? Who is the mysterious Barque? Why did Lord Percival enter, but say nothing? To say nothing of Issy, whomsoever she (or HE?) may be!

And Lady Wombling has abandoned us!

Lud, Miss Slayerette, as I cared a fig about Sir Percy. I vow the Duke of Haughty is worth 10 of him - in every way. He has set me up in the handsomest style possible, whereas everyone knows that Sir Percy's pockets are to let, and even if his credit survives this most recent scandal, he must shortly be compleatly Rolled Up.
Shall I see you at Lady Fridayface's ball tonight - or have you not received a card?

Mrs Bat - The Duke desires me to inform you that he would certainly not permit me to call at Bat House even I should wish to. I will not of course Cut you compleatly, I am happy to bow and smile should we chance to encounter each other in Publick, but as the acknowledged Consort of a Duke of the Realm, I fear you are now somewhat Beneath my touch.

Miss Rosa, I will be Desolate to miss you at Lady Fridayface's ball tonight. I am expected directly at the Duchess of Norks' residence; a small card-party for her intimate acquaintances, you know. And Lady Fridayface's last ball was voted a sad crush...

Miss Slayerette! I have missed you these last 2 days! But Mr Bat will brook no delay - I must to his chamber!

Ooh yes.

My favourites (in order):

1. Frederica
2. Venetia
3. The Grand Sophy

but really all great

Also love the French character Leonie who is initially dressed as a boy to accompany her crazy aristocratic English rescuer whom she then married. She crops up again in another book as the mil (?) I think. Can't remember the name of that one, can you help?

sorry just realised I only really replied to the thread title and have missed some quality discussion please feel free to continue and ignore my crude interjection ... will just get myself another glass of ratafia

My dear Euphonia!! How can you concern yourself with carnal desires at a time like this??? Whom did Lord Percy enter, indeed? You have asked the question that rests at the very nob nub of the Matter....

Lud, Miss Slayerette, I hope you will not thik it amiss of me to drop a word or two of caution in your ear? How , pray, are you to depart from Lady Fridayface's ball to join Sir Percy without arousing suspicion? My spies tell me that Miss Ghosty has had her reason wholly overset by the shameless and libertine conduct of her brother, and is determined to follow him to France (disguised as a nun) to turn him from VIce before it is too late! I am afraid she may do All in her Power to prevent your Union....

mysteriously flashes fan in front of face, and glides silently from the room.....

B1977 - Devil's Cub?

Sal Volatile espies a fresh-faced innocent from the Shires and whispers....

Psst B1977, T'would be wise to appraise oneself of the scandal of previous days before revealing the charming face and Name that really lies behind that tres amusant mask....

Do join the party - we are all quite mad with gaiety here, you know!

Pon rep

My Dearest Miss Slayerette
Firstly, please accept my profuse apologies for Quitting Town so unexpectedly Friday last. My dear parents would have it put about that I have been called away to attend my poor sister who is about to be confined to Bring Forth her fifth brat, but this was nothing but a ruse. My parents called me away in Actual Fact to attend my Dear Mama for she saw fit to Take To Her Bed. The shock of this latest Scandal of my Dastardly Brother proved to be too much for her already Fragile State. Indeed, for the last few days I have been backwards and forwards to her chamber fetching and carrying the heartshorn and sal volatile and I know not what other potions and lotions sent to her by her Apothecary to soothe her Poor Nerves, for she was quite knocked up, the Poor Thing . Although Resigned to be a Good and Dutiful Daughter I found this very dull work and so have been busying myself in Other Matters. I am happy to report, my Dear Friend, that a solution of sorts has been found. But you must Prepare Yourself For Some Disappointment as I fear your Heart may be Broken when you hear my news. According to Susan Farterington (who heard it from Maria Twatly, who heard it from Lady Titsup, whose abigail is sister to Miss Rosa?s mother?s housekeeper) it turns out that yes, Miss Rosa and my Brother had a Dalliance. It is well known that she has been setting her cap at him for a long time now and apparently has been Shockingly Loose In The Haft. Miss Rosa was blinded by my dear Brother, always a Regular Out And Outer, and she has always had a fancy for a neck or nothing young blood. But it also seems my poor brother was under the false impression that Miss R?s family was Well Inlaid, and being the adventurer he is, was bamboozled into an ?arrangement? with her. When he found out the sorry truth he tried to back out of this hobble he had created. In this last week, when The Earl of Chinlesswonderton (Rosa?s father) found out about the situation, he sought out My Brother to force his hand to a Point Non Plus but poor Percy refused on the grounds of her Complexion (she is prone to Freckles you know) and has promptly bolted for France. Dear Percy, always the peep-of-day boy, is quite happy for it to be thought that he quit Town on account of a Duel, although this is a Banbury Story of course.
The latest, I have heard, is that MY uncle, the Earl of Bumleigh has found Percy a benefactor. The Earl of Bumleigh is very Angry with Percy for bringing this shame on the name of Ghosty and is set on Percy marrying Miss Rosa. Mama is convinced that Percy will be able to live with the Freckles and the slight Squint if he had a Generous Sponsor in Diplomatic Circles. So Papa has set forth to Paris to convey this news to Percy. I was disappointed not to be invited too but someone needs to stay with Mama (who, it must be said, has perked up a bit and feels she could love the baby as long as Percy and Miss Rosa go to live in Spain or some such place). So it looks like Miss Rosa will be saved after all, but if Percy refuses to come back she may have nothing else to do but accept a Carte Blanche.
I must entreat you My Dear Miss Slayerette, to not breathe a word of this to anyone else. The reputation of the Ghosty family is at stake and it is well known that Mrs Onebatmother can be a terrible gabster when a trifle disguised.
As for you, Miss Slayerette, Please, I beg of you, do not be downhearted. You are better saved from the advances of Poor Percy. I know your Heart is Broken but perhaps you may like to come and visit me in the country? The ?th Regiment has recently been stationed at Greater Piddlington and the whole countryside is in transports. Apparently there will be a Ball every Week and Mama is already planning one here at Little Piddlington Hall. Do say you will come!
Yours etc
Your dearest Friend
Marina Ghosty

Miss Slayerette shall not see this piece of work, i' faith!

Why, this news comes too late for Miss Rosa - the girl is already the light-o-love of His Grace!

And why should poor Miss Slayer be cast aside?

And what of it that she bears a striking resemblance to me, when I was first out?

She has set her cap at Ghostly, and I vow I will see her settled well, if it is the last thing I do!

La, you are welcome to Lord Percy, Miss Slayerette. I have better fish to fry. I shall not stoop to comment on the outrageous way in which the single beauty spot on my left cheek has been parlayed by jealous tongues into Freckles while as for the claim that I Squint, when his Grace of Upright is never done praising the glories of my eyes... tis laughable. You would need to be dicked in the nob to believe such Canterbury tales.
Nor shall I mention that Lord Percy himself is far from an Adonis. His Grace fills out his calf-clingers to far more advantage, while as for complexion, Lord Percy is positively tallow-faced.
But, Miss Slayerette if you wish to set your cap at an out-and-out rake who would cry off on his affianced bride after giving her a slip on the shoulder, merely because the dibs were out of tune and her Papa needed time to come up with the readies, then I will not stand in your way.
Now farewell, I must put on my new riding habit (it is Scarlet broadcloth with black Frogging and vastly becoming) or I will be late to ride in the Park with His Grace.

Why Mrs Bat - I vow and declare you to be sadly correct - this letter is indeed clearly a forgery! We must consign it to the fire forthwith, and discover what has become of our Young Friend who has - it is true - been wholly overset by the Events of the last week! But accept Rosa? Never would such a stiff -necked martinet like Lord Bumleigh accept such a scandal-broth in his Family! > Tis my belief that the charletan who wrote this letter is in the pay of Chinlesswonderton, who would clearly Stop at Nothing to ressurrect his daughter in the Eyes of The Polite World!

It clearly behoves us to rescue Miss Ghosty and chaperon her ourselves into Society before she is carried off in a Decline; do you not agree?

Perhaps young Lord Quattrocento could be encouraged to pay her some marked attention - perhaps with your careful guidance our own involvement in this ghastly Affaire may yet be concealed?

I hear from Lady Wombling that Lord Vapid died in the small hours of this morning - 'tis rumoured he has left his fortune to a Light'o'love from his salad days - a Fair Incognita from Mrs Bowe-Legge's Establishment in Park Lane: is there anything you wish to Confide, my Dearest Euphonia - I assure you I am the very soul of Discretion....