Read for the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.
When the Earl of Rule decides to marry, his sister suggests the lovely Lizzie Winwood. Lizzie agrees to the match, but is in love with another, a penniless officer. So Lizzie’s youngest sister Horatia comes up with a plan – she will marry the Earl, and let Lizzie marry her officer. The Winwoods are horrified by her forwardness, but the Earl is instantly intrigued, and agrees to the match.
I don’t know how I haven’t managed to read any Georgette Heyer books before. This book is a hoot. It’s set in Georgian England, with loving attention to period detail. The plot is as simple as it comes – marriage of convenience turns into a love match, but it’s a fun ride through this familiar tale, especially since Horry is not your typical naive young thing – she’s a bit of a gambling addict, and gets herself into scrapes a bit more willingly than your typical heroine. The Earl of Rule is the perfect hero, and totally plays to type against Horry.
This is a great story. I’m not normally a romance reader, but I’ll definitely make an exception for any of Heyer’s works.