The tale of sensible Frederica and reluctant Vernon

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Another Heyer romance where the name of the heroine emblazons the cover of the novel. It is seen even in the beginning that Frederica Merrivile rules the roost. With her parents long since dead, Frederica, as the eldest sister, has assumed the role of a surrogate parent for the Merriville household. Set on giving her escessively beautiful younger sister, Charis, a better role in life, she brings her whole family down to London in search of a suitable husband. In London, the resourceful Frederica applies to the only noble relative she knows to help them find their way in society. In the beginning, the Marquis Alverstoke is reluctant to lend a hand in promoting the Merrivilles. Having frequently dealt with his meddlesome, greedy family members, the Marquis is wary of encroaching relatives. At first all set to depress her pretentious notions, Alverstoke soon finds himself charmed by Frederica's forthright manners. Indeed, the enchanting Merriville sisters take London society by storm; the lovely Charis is soon courted and pursued by numerous gentlemen. Though only having hopes for her younger sister, the charming, elegant Frederica receives her share of suitors too. But all Frederica's cherished ambitions of her beloved sister marrying into a life of comfort and respectability are cast to the winds with the arrival of the incredibly handsome Endymion Dauntry. As good-looking as a prince out a fairytale yet sadly lacking in mental ability, Endymion seems to Frederica a poor choice for Charis who is equally pea-gooseish. One thing slightly different about this novel is that Frederica's family features prominently in the story. True, most Heyer's Regency novels revolve around the main protagonists' family members. But Frederica is slightly different as in her family shares the spotlight with her. Her family members, in particular her younger siblings, are in fact quite instrumental in bringing the couple together. Who can forget the irresistibly spunky Felix ( detestable imp! ), the sober Jessamy - even the antics of the infamous Lufra, the one and only Barcelona collie! Or was that Baluchistan hound? The two intrepid young gentlemen and their adventurous antics ( ranging from the affair of the Pedestrian curricle to a disastrous balloon ascension ) keep the hapless Marquis on his toes as he finds himself slowly fitting into the role of a reluctant guardian. Living happily in a state of bachelorhood, Alverstoke sees nothing to warrant a change. But slowly, he starts to sense a change in himself as he finds himself attracted to the sensible Frederica and can't for the life of him figure out why. Top-lofty, gooseish, managing, no more than passably good-looking; why the devil did he like her so much? Nevertheless, the Marquis starts to find ways and means to lighten Frederica's burden. All his vaunted charm and address are wasted as every attempt at flirtation is greeted with Frederica withdrawing from him. Worse, his ardent proposals are met with the dampening thought of Pork Jelly. On her part, Frederica fully realizes her admiration for the Marquis. And mistakenly thinks that it would come to naught especially given the Marquis' long list of forgotten conquests.

Arabella April Lady Bath Tangle Beauvallet Charity Girl The Corinthian Cotillion Cousin Kate Devil's Cub False Colours Faro's Daughter Frederica Friday's Child Powder and Patch Regency Buck Simon the Coldheart Sprig Muslin Sylvester Venetia The Black Moth The Black Sheep The Convenient Marriage The Foundling The Grand Sophy The Masqueraders The Quiet Gentleman The Reluctant Widow The Spanish Bride The Talisman Ring The Toll-gate The Unknown Ajax These Old Shades Emma Pride and Prejudice Scarlet Pimpernel

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