Spoiler alert!

The criminally under-estimated Freddy Standen doesn’t rate his own intelligence very highly, but he certainly manages to deploy his common sense to excellent effect, plucking plans from thin air and smoothing Kitty’s path through society during their pretend engagement. But remember, he’s not kind-hearted! Oh no, heaven forbid, he’s been on the town for years! 

Kitty, however, certainly has a generous heart and ensures that Camille and Olivia, and Dolph and Hannah, can all find love and happiness. Her faith in Freddy and realisation that storybook heroes aren’t all they’re cracked up to be is a delight to witness.

And then of course, there’s that extra something special about Cotillion, and it comes in the form of Lord Legerwood. The only man who could possibly supplant Freddy in our hearts.

“‘Obliged to take you home in a hack, Kit! Nothing for it!’

‘You are welcome to take me home in a wheelbarrow!’ She assured him.

‘Wouldn’t do at all!’ said Mr Standen decidedly, ’Sort of thing that would be bound to set people’s backs up. Besides, haven’t got a wheelbarrow!’

She gave a shaken laugh. ‘Oh, Freddy, how can you be so absurd, when you are so wise?’”

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Spoiler alert!

Sir Gareth Ludlow’s life is turned upside-down in the space of a few hours when his long-standing friend Lady Hester Theale turns down his very flattering proposal, and he finds himself taking charge of the beautiful and ruthless runaway Amanda.

Up against this diminutive but cunning strategist, Sir Gareth is led a merry dance around the surrounding countryside trying to keep his opponent safe while eventually coming to a better understanding of Hester’s character and his feelings for her.

And Lady Hester herself enjoys quite an adventure, rebelling against her family for the first time, lying about her identity and blossoming into a much happier and more confident woman under the care of the man she loves.

“He looked at her, a glimmer in his eyes, and a smile quivering on his lips. ‘Do you know, Hester, in all these years I have held you in esteem and regard, yet I never knew you until we were pitchforked into this fantastic imbroglio?’”

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Spoiler alert!

Captain John Staple is one of the easiest of Heyer’s heroes to like. Maybe it’s his all-round goodness, but maybe it’s just because he’s so very large. We’re all powerless to resist apparently. Nell Stornoway certainly doesn’t manage it for long, and we don’t blame her.

There’s a whole host of fantastic characters in this story, from Sir Peter who still has a trick or two up his sleeve, and Chirk the highwayman who sticks to his own code, to Stogumber the Bow Street Runner with sharp eyes and a pragmatic approach to justice.

We get stuck into discussing the tragedy of Sir Peter’s predicament, the morality of murdering wrong ‘uns and the romance between Rose and Chirk (but you’ll have to forgive us for our inability to remember how Staple is supposed to be related to Brean, and how Nell is related to Henry - our brains failed us.)

“But the thing is I’ve got no fancy for one of these dashed suitable marriages, where you don’t really care a fig for the girl, or she for you. I don’t mean to offer marriage to any girl who don’t give me a leveller.”

Instagram: @georgetteheyerpodcast

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