(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.

and double

and triple

I'faith, I know not what to do. My friends urge me to cast Lord Percy aside but not for the world would I be branded a sad jilt. And yet...at the Duchess of Norks' card party last night, I was introduced to a most dashing gentleman, Captain Sparrow, with the -th. Apparently his regiment is stationed in Greater Piddlington and he is to join them this week. I am sorely tempted to pay my dear friend Miss Ghosty for tis an age since I paid my respects to her dear mama...

Can I just say that I am 'prodigiously' enjoying this thread???? It has really cheered me up ladies

My Dear Miss Slayerette.
I cannot tell you how Hurt my Feelings are since you did not reply to my last. I hope you have not done anything foolish and have decided to cast Percy aside. He has had news that Miss Rosa has accepted a Carte Blanche from His Grace of Upright and has become his Peculiar. We, as genteel ladies of Quality, must NOT be associated with such a wonton Paphian. My mama says that she always knew Paraphernalia Rosa would come to no good.
I had a most Interesting Interlude with a young gentleman the other day. He was charming and prodigiously handsome. He is visiting his aged Aunt who lives in the vicinity of Greater Piddlington. His name is Lord Quattrocento - have you heard of him by chance? My mother believes that he may be of the Northamptonshire Quattrocentos. Perhaps you could find out for me? He has a great friend in the -th, a Captain Sparrow.
Mama sends her regards to your chaperone MrsOneBatMother and invites you to come and visit soonest.
Yours etc
Marina Ghosty

My Dear Miss Ghosty

Now that I stand revealed in my True Colours - still noble tho' enthralled by Poverty to be the servant of Mistress Chance - have you forgotten your most loyal friend?

T'were not for me young Lord Quattrocento would never have heard your Name, but 'tis a sad moment indeed to see a fair youth at the gaming tables when one such as you are pining for True Love...oh my dear, would you knew the True Reason why my heart bleeds for you and your present unhappiness! But enough of that, or I am Entirely Undone !

Yours ever epistolarily speaking
Mme S Volatile

Oh la, I have not deserted you my dearest friends, I have been most indisposed and have taken to my bed, since my fatiguing journey to London.

My Dear Miss Ghosty,
I must implore you to be on your guard. Someone close to you is sailing under False Colours, but concealed in Mrs Bat's cupboard I discovered a secret cache of letters which Revealed All and much else besides. They are now hidden in a Safe Place while I ponder what is best to do with them.
Some of the best kept secrets of Polite Society are now in my hands, and those who disdain me would do well to take care.
I would never of course do aught to harm my True Friends among whom I hope I may count you.
Yours ever
Lady Rosa

My Dear Miss Ghosty

In truth I am at a loss to Understand how I came Not to receive your last missive. I fear that there may be Those who we may Not Trust. Alone as I am in the World, I must throw myself on the mercy of your dear Mama and beg her to allow me to find a place of refuge at your so charming home in Little Piddlington. I fear that my jilting of Lord Percy is known Abroad and I greatly fear that I am the talk of the town. Just yesterday Susan Farterington gave me the cut direct when I nodded to her most polite outside Mrs Mincing's Milliners. I feel that the beautiful landscapes and sea air of Little Piddlington will soon restore the roses to my cheeks.

You ask about Lord Quattrocento - la, he is a fine figure of a man. Mrs Bat tells me that he is of the Wolverhampton branch of the family and therefore Most Respectable; she confides that the Northamptonshire Quattrocentos are a Blot on the family name and their pockets are quite to let! It is just like Lord Q. to do his Duty by his Aunt; I heard tell that he is just the sort of gentleman who can procure one a chair in unclement weather.

I am sure I know not of this Captain Sparrow of whom you speak and my Heart is quite broke over your Poor Brother, but twould be vastly uncivil not to pay a call on such a dear friend of Lord Q.

Until tomorrow - I remain your Most Dear Friend

Miss Slayerette

My Dear Dear Madame SalVolatile
Of course I have not forgotten you. What kind of a creature would I be to forget such a worthy and trusted friend? But madam, you, more than anyone, must know the precarious position in which a Young Unmarried Lady of Quality like myself stands. I do NOT deny your very Noble Birth (albeit it french - your father was an emigre was he not?) but My poor Mama would be quite undone if she knew that MrsBat, whom she trusted with my care so implicitly, was a close confidante of yours and had introduced me to you - my Mama seems quite against our friendship and I always wondered if she is harbouring A Secret. Perhaps you know of what I speak?
And La, I am sure I know not of this sadness you mention for I am quite Gay with joy at the upcoming Balls in Greater Piddlington. Lord Q really is a delightful dancing partner and is so easy to talk to.
I must finish now as I have to walk to the village to post this letter. If I leave it on the hall table like as not either Dawkins or my mother will intercept it and the cat will be among the pigeons so please know I am sorry for not obtaining a Frank. I hope you will not be out of pocket in receiving this.
Yours etc etc
Marina Ghosty

" Well, Mme Volatile, it is not for me to question how you came into the possession of a copy of Lord Vapid's Last Will and Testament, but I can confirm that this is indeed a true copy, and annotated by our dear departed client's own hand".

"He has indeed left the bulk of his not inconsiderable Fortune to Lady Delilah Ghosty (sad Mama of that Notorious Rake, Sir Percival), for reasons which you will understand must remain Entirely Private within these four walls? A certain familiartity with the noble Ghosty family tells me that they may well receive an enourmous bequest garnered by ruining many a young man at the card table, but his undoubted parentage of Sir Percival puts another Twist on the matter entirely - I am sure you understand?"

"'It would appear, rather tragically, to be so, Madame. This means he cannot inherit a penny, and that Mis Ghosty is now a considerable heiress once the Will is proved. "

we need a brief synopsis of the plot so far urgently - I fear I am utterly lost..

Well Gentle Reader, the Plot - so far - is roughly this (with apologies for errors and omissions)

Miss Slayette, a auburn haired Beauty, as set her cap at Sir percival Ghosty, the rakish brother of the long-suffering and very well-behaved Miss Ghosty. Miss Slayette is, or was, the protegee of the mysterious Mrs Bat, whose modish appearance belies a wanton past in Mrs Bowe-Legge's establishment, where she learned all manner of secrets.

A total strumpet by the name of Rosa appeared on the scene, carrying the bastard child of Percy whome she swore would marry her. Miss Slayette, who was affianced to Sir Percy in secret, had hysterics.

Lady Callmemadam was required to reveal her true identity as French emigree and mistress of the most discreet Gaming Hell of the day, in order to explain how it was that Lord Vapid had called Sir Percy out (at her card tables).

Following a duel off stage, Sir Percy fled to France, leaving Rosa weeping, Miss Slayette scheming, and Lord Vapid dying.

Mrs Bat is feeling very nervous at this point as she has secrets and so does her bosom-bow Mme Volatile

Rosa, having been offered shelter by Mme Volatile, takes instead a carte blanche from the Duke of Haughty, and her language has got worse and worse, to boot! This leave the field open for Miss Slayette to marry Sir percival if only Miss Ghosty would stop trying to broker a rapprochement between Sir P, Rosa and his family.

Rosa, who is very happy with The Duke, sees no reason not to make herself happier still, and pinches Mrs Bat's long-held stash of secret letters. In one of them the secret of Lord Vapid's hold over Lady Delilah Ghosty is Revealed. Who knows what other secrets are contained therin. From Rosa's last letter it looks as though she may be about to blackmail Miss Ghosty.

Lord Vapid has died, and his Will (a copy of which was entrusted to the mysterious Mme Volatile) states that he has left all his money to his children, Miss Ghosty and her brother. As Percival therefore killed his father, Miss Ghosty will inherit the lot. That makes her very rich, and will probably make Miss Slayette out-of-reason cross for several reasons I can't think of yet. Miss Slayette has in fact fled to the Ghosty household, abandoning her faithful chaperone Mrs Bat to Idle Gossip and the trauma of finding her 'pension' stolen.

Will Mrs Bat forgive her young friend? Will she Tell All? Will Miss Rosa spill the beans or not? What will Miss Ghosty do with a Fortune (tainted with blood). Will Mme Volatile recover from her nervous exhaustion at this point?

The mysterious Lord Quattrocento keeps wandering off, and Lady Wombling attends every party imaginable but has so far had All too Little to Say, if you ask me!

Does that help?? Am I mad?

My dears,
I wanted you to be the first to be lucky enough to offer me felicitations on the occasion of my marriage. Yes, indeed, your surmises are correct, you may now have the honour of addressing me as Your Grace, though I will only insist on the formal mode of address in Publick, of course. Within the privacy of the Ducal Mansion, or our family seat in Leicestershire, Righteous Castle, you may continue to call me Rosa if you wish.
I married my dear Duke in a quiet ceremony at St George's, Hanover Square, yesterday morning. There were none in attendences but two witnesses we met with in the street a flower seller and a chimney sweeep (for luck, was it not Romantick) but it is all right and tight, no havey-cavey business and you may inspect the church Register if you are of a Suspicious turn of mind, as I sadly suspect some of my so-called friends may be.
Indeed what should be more fitting than that the daughter of an Earl should marry a Duke, and as for the unfortunate product of my shame, he is happy with his foster-mother in the country and need never be mentioned, for even if he should survive past infancy I can always have him Apprenticed you know.
It all came about by the luckiest chance, for as I was perusing the Very Interesting missives which I lately chanced to find in Mrs Bat's cupboard, I came across some billets-doux which my poor, dear, trusting Duke had written in error to a designing harpie whose name I do not choose to mention at present. The Duke was so overcome with emotion at the generous way in which I promised never to so much as hint at the fascinating personal foibles he revealed in these letters that he offered to marry me on the spot. I closed with the offer and sent out for a special licence at once, and am Deelighted to be able to send you the very best wishes of
Rosa, Duchess of Upright

(have to do tax, but huge round of applause and warm admiration for Sal and Rosa for both excellent expression, and plot twists) I will be back, though possibly not till tomorrow, with some More News)

...News which I was only able to remember once I'd read the very clear plot summary, so thank you for that .

Oh what fun.

Am in awe of the plot summary - I had managed to keep track of my scheming but Lord Vapid had me All At Sea...

My Dear Duchess, may I be among the first to congratulate you up your extremely felicitous marriage (and for the brilliance of your reasoning which has temporarily rendered me speechless! Lus, your dear friend Miss Slayette has affected to forget all about Lord Vapid, despite him being slain by the rapier of One whom she Wished To Wed!! My poor Mrs Bat is Prostrate with Anguish at Miss S--'s Heartless abandonment of her for the rural pleasures of Greater Pidlington and the lure of a red coat .

I hear that Lady Delilah Ghosty has no wish to receive you and the Duke - the whole Town is agog to hear the latest on-dit regarding her treatment of you?

Yours in understanding

Mme S Volatile

Lud, I meant, not Lus...am seriously worried that I have gone nuts..

Why, Miss Ghosty, I vow I am so Happy to be here with your so Dear Mama and you, my dear dear friend! Such an age the journey took an I vow it fatigued me greatly. I was like to have one of my Spasms when the wheeler strained his fetlock just outside Little Spodbury but I am not one to make a Fuss as you know.

But what is this - I find you moping over your stitchery? I thought you were like to be in alt over the dashing Lord Quattrocento. Tis said in town that many a Young Lady has set her cap at him but he will have none of them. What a Triumph for Miss Ghosty with five thousand pounds if she were to ensnare him! I see too that a Captain Sparrow has left his card; I suppose we must call on him although I am sure he will be a Shocking Flirt.