Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    From $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Masqueraders
    The Masqueraders
    The Masqueraders
    Ebook351 pages6 hours

    The Masqueraders

    By Georgette Heyer

    4/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    This Georgian-era romance “with elopements, rescues, duels, and cards . . . [is] a picturesque and engaging story” from the acclaimed master of the genre (The Spectator).

    When Prudence and Robin Tremaine find themselves on the wrong side of the Jacobite rebellion, the siblings follow their infamous father’s cunning footsteps and switch identities, escaping to London with Prudence posing as a dashing gentleman and Robin as a lovely young woman. They are so skillful, in fact, that they are warmly embraced, with the disguised Prudence finding herself in an alliance with the handsome Sir Anthony Fanshawe and the concealed Robin performing a rescue that wins him the admiration of the beautiful Letitia Grayson. But when Prudence finds herself falling for Sir Anthony, and Robin struggles to resist the tender charms of Letitia, they wonder if they’ll ever be able to safely let go of their masquerade to answer the call of love.
     
    Praise for the writing of Georgette Heyer:
     
    “If you haven’t read her yet, I envy you.” —Harriet Evans
     
    “My favourite historical novelist.” —Margaret Drabble
     
    “Reading Georgette Heyer is the next best thing to reading Jane Austen.” —Publishers Weekly
     
    “A writer of great wit and style.” —The Daily Telegraph
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOpen Road Media
    Release dateJan 1, 2024
    ISBN9781504082259
    The Masqueraders
    Author

    Georgette Heyer

    Georgette Heyer's novels have charmed and delighted millions of readers for decades. English Heritage has awarded Georgette Heyer one of their prestigious Blue Plaques, designating her Wimbledon home as the residence of an important figure in British history. She was born in Wimbledon in August 1902. She wrote her first novel, The Black Moth, at the age of seventeen to amuse her convalescent brother; it was published in 1921 and became an instant success. Heyer published 56 books over the next 53 years, until her death from lung cancer in 1974. Her last book, My Lord John, was published posthumously in 1975. A very private woman, she rarely reached out to the public to discuss her works or personal life. Her work included Regency romances, mysteries and historical fiction. Known as the Queen of Regency romance, Heyer was legendary for her research, historical accuracy and her extraordinary plots and characterizations. She was married to George Ronald Rougier, a barrister, and they had one son, Richard.

    Read more from Georgette Heyer

    Related to The Masqueraders

    Related ebooks

    Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • UNLIMITED

      Estella’s Fate

      May 17, 2023

      Estella’s Fate
      7 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Home with Jane

      May 15, 2020

      Home with Jane
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      The GREAT ROYAL BABY RACE

      Apr 5, 2019

      The GREAT ROYAL BABY RACE
      5 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Regency Romance

      Jun 12, 2022

      With the success of the TV show Bridgerton, it was inevitable that copycat Regency romances would follow. For those who find them insipid and silly, this won’t be the greatest news, but I adored the Georgette Heyer books (she was the queen of the Reg

      1 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Reading in English

      Jul 7, 2020

      Reading in English
      5 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      The Mystery Of The Winter Dress

      Mar 23, 2022

      The Mystery Of The Winter Dress
      7 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      The Queen of Hearts

      Jun 20, 2019

      The Queen of Hearts
      8 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      The Magic Of The Moors

      May 27, 2020

      The Magic Of The Moors
      5 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      'Fools and Mortals' Finds Shakespeare's Brother Taking Center Stage

      Jan 16, 2018

      As in all the best historical fiction, readers will come away with a seminar's-worth of historical knowledge without feeling like they did any heavy lifting.

      3 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Rebecca

      Aug 18, 2021

      Rebecca
      3 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Where The Walls Have Ears

      May 22, 2020

      Where The Walls Have Ears
      8 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Mrs Simpson Learns A Lesson

      Jul 29, 2021

      Mrs Simpson Learns A Lesson
      4 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      A Nest Of VIPERS

      Jan 25, 2023

      A Nest Of VIPERS
      9 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Shoes for MY LADY

      Nov 1, 2023

      Shoes for MY LADY
      9 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      The Italian INFLUENCE

      Jan 19, 2022

      The Italian INFLUENCE
      9 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      The Good Servant

      Aug 8, 2022

      Windsor, March 1932 “Good evening, Miss Crawford.” A smart young man in uniform was waiting on the platform when she stepped off the train. She was startled. “Aye. That’s me. How did you know?” “Easy.” He smiled. “There aren’t that many young ladies

      6 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      A Nest Of VIPERS

      Feb 1, 2023

      A Nest Of VIPERS
      9 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Trading FUTURES

      Sep 15, 2021

      Trading FUTURES
      3 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      The PROMISE

      Aug 18, 2021

      The PROMISE
      9 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Shoes for MY LADY

      Nov 8, 2023

      Shoes for MY LADY
      9 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

      Dec 13, 2023

      It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
      4 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      A Lot On MY PLATE

      Jan 29, 2020

      “You join me at a table for two at The Nice Little French Place On The Bypass, and the evening is not going entirely well. If you’ve been following what, for want of a better word, we must call the plot, you’ll remember that Mr Dear is enjoying a ch

      3 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      His Lordship’s LAST GAME

      Jan 24, 2024

      His Lordship’s LAST GAME
      9 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Masqueraders

    4/5

    387 ratings28 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      This is ridiculous but still quite entertaining. Either I missed something or else Heyer doesn’t really do a great job of explaining why Prudence and her brother Robin need to be in disguise, nor why they’ve decided the best way to do this is by crossdressing. But Robin is an escaped Jacobite with taste for drama, their respective heights make passing possible, and eventually Prudence refers to having often worn boys’ clothes (a detail I thought should have been established much earlier). It seems that they are both capable of, and comfortable with, disguising themselves thus, and I found the key to enjoying this book was to just roll with it.Also Prue’s romantic interest is a type Heyer writes so well: perceptive, unflappable, competent, with a sense of humour and an appreciation of level-headedness in others. He’s a good match for Prue, who is, in spite of -- or perhaps, because of -- her unconventional and adventurous upbringing, quite sensible herself. Sensible people pushed into madcap adventures is something else Heyer has a flair for.
    • 4/5
      I contrive! One of the best Heyer novels I've read so far. A grand, hilarious romp.
    • 4/5
      This is a Georgian not a regency, which I like much better, but not a bad book like Powder and Patch. I'd read this before but I thought it was due for a re-read. Not bad but the romance wasn't as satisfying as I thought it would be. I found Anthony Fanshaw somewhat boring and too perfect. Nothing shocked him, which was more than a little unbelievable. However, the two main characters were interesting and the heroine was delightful.
    • 4/5
      First an admission. I maybe wasn't paying attention at the beginning, I took this with me to the blood donor session and it's possible I missed something, but for the first 50 odd pages I was very very confused. Then, finally, the penny dropped and I realised that Robin & Prudence were masquerading as the opposite sex and were then Kate & Peter. At which point I read the first 50 pages again and it all made a lot more sense. Clearly this one needs you to pay attention! This starts with Kate & Peter taking refuge in an inn and rescuing an eloping heiress who has since changed her mind about her beau. Having saved the day onto the scene arrives Sir Anthony Fanshawe (who does NOT want to marry Letty) and the book sets off. These 4 are the key characters and the rest of the book follows their somewhat eccentric adventures. Set after the Jacobite uprising, the reason for the disguises becomes clearer as the book progresses, Robin & Prudence have been involved on the losing side. This book features a particularly outlandish character, Robin & Prudence's father. He's clearly a rackety type, having dragged them across Europe, owned a gaming den, taken multiple names and generally not been a credit to his family. He turns up in London society claiming to be the long lost brother and now heir to an estate. Even his children are surprised and can;t tell if he is who he now claims to be or not. Is he or not hangs in the balance for a fair portion of the book, but in the end it does all work out. It's fun, it's a bit far fetched, but none the less enjoyable for that.
    • 5/5
      One of my favourite Heyer novels. An original plot line of disguise, cross-dressing and dissembling. Romance is very minor although typically part of all GH's Regency novels.
    • 5/5
      I've read this several times in German and now also heard it as audiobook. It's every bit as delightful as every time I took this out before.
    • 4/5
      Utterly delightful frothy romance - and not Regency but Georgian! Which somehow, despite the cover, I was not expecting. (I don't read plot summaries of Heyers before I read them, I just dive in.) I had a little bit of trouble sorting out who was who in the first couple of chapters, but once I got a handle on the cast it was lovely. I always love a cross-dressing romance.
    • 2/5
      Not one of Georgette Heyer's better novels. It involves improbable disguises with fantastical plots.
      A brother and sister, hiding their identities in the wake of their father's ill-advised political venturings, come to England to await their father's return. In the meantimes, they fall in love and into society.
      An appealing heroine, almost a modern lady. About 2.5 stars.
    • 3/5
      Not the first Heyer book I've read featuring a woman dressed as a man, but it is the first I've read in which a man dresses as a woman.Beforehand I suspected it may be too complex and perhaps too silly, though it turned out to be pretty good fun.I liked one of the secondary characters best, namely Letty, who is a woman dressed as a woman. She's highly entertaining, often causing me to smile.I found the plot interesting rather than engaging. At times I grew a little bored but the good outweighs the bad.
    • 5/5
      Loved this! One of the more purely enjoyable books I've read (or in this case, listened to) recently. The characters and language sparkles, and I actually find myself wishing it could have gone on longer (unusual for me).

    • 5/5
      A wonderful work of escapist literature as Heyer, clearly inspired by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night amongst other, writes her own story of cross dressing siblings. Prudence and Robin who were on the losing side of the Jacobite Rebellion hide out in London by Masquerading as Kate (Robin) and Peter (Prudence) Merriot with sometimes hilarious consequences.Heyer really goes for the fun in this book, there’s a masked ball in which Robin, dressed as a man, engages in some light flirtation with his intended, a duel, including the slap around the face with a glove, highwaymen and lots of intrigue. Wonderful.
    • 3/5
      **3.5**

      Infused with Heyer's typical humor and wit. I laugh out loud while reading Heyers' books more than anyone else's.

      The style of writing (specifically the dialogue) is a little different than most of her other books, as this one is set earlier than the majority of her books and she adjusted the way that people speak to this period. Therefore, the language and style took a little getting used to.
    • 4/5
      This story of two siblings, Prudence and Robin, who swap genders and masquerade as Peter and Kate Merriot in order to escape detection after participating in the Jacobite rebellions, is one of Georgette Heyer's more improbable tales. Caught up in the whirl of London high society, the pair soon find themselves in love: "Peter" with his friend, Sir Anthony Fanshave, and "Kate" with the lovely Letitia Grayson. But how will they disentangle themselves from their deception, and can two adventurers ever turn respectable?Like all of Heyer's Georgian romances, The Masqueraders is quite a swashbuckler, complete with all the secret identities, duels, abductions, highwaymen, and long-lost aristocrats that one could wish for. The reader will even encounter the proverbial "glove-slap to the face" that must surely precede every duel of note! It's all a little bit silly, and as some have noted, highly implausible. But with its fast-paced narrative, witty dialogue, and appealing characters, it will nevertheless charm. Who, I ask, wants a romance that is at all probable?
    • 3/5
      Another Georgette Heyer - a family on run because of being on wrong side of Jacobite rebellion. The brother, aided by his slight frame, masquerades as a charming Kate Merriot while his sister Prudence, of large build, pretends to be Peter Merriot. Both fall in love, but they are but puppets in bigger maze laid out by their father, the supposedly 'Viscount of Termaine'. Their father, who is affectionately called 'the old gentleman' has lot of love of drama and can not gush enough number of times in the novel 'how great I am'. A thoroughly charming fellow!
    • 5/5
      My second favorite Heyer, another one I've reread a few times. It's very different in tone and atmosphere, and indeed, plot, from her other books.

      Prudence and and her brother Robin have spent most of their lives pretending to be other people. They are adventurers, and have participated in many wild schemes dreamed up by their father, the 'Old Gentleman'. Their most recent exploit was participating in the failed attempt to restore King Charles to the throne. In order to escape exposure of Jacobites, Prudence and Robin change not only their identities, but their genders. Prudence becomes Peter and Robin his sister Kate. Peter and Kate become the toast of the town, as they await the arrival of their father...

      Cross dressing twins, mistaken (and revealed) identities, swindles, intrigue, masked balls...it has everything, including a twist so unexpected that I exclaimed outloud and then spent the entire day explaining it to my family, none of whom really cared.

      (Also went around saying things like 'Lud!' and prefencing sentences with 'La', and generally talking like it was the 18th century.)

      Lastly, Robin is my favorite forever.
    • 4/5
      I can't believe it has been five years since I read this book for the third or fourth time. Each time I read it from a different perspective, a little older maybe no wiser, but I enjoy it all the same. There are no.other books I retread as much as Heyer's. I stated when I was in college decades ago.
    • 5/5
      Set mid-18th centry rather than Regency, this tale of a brother and sister posing as membrs of the opposite sexes is reminiscent of Twelfth Night and almost as much fun.
    • 5/5
      What's the fastest way for a brother and sister on the run to shake off pursuit? Why, switch places, of course! Prudence and Robin Tremaine are masters of disguise, and they both need all their wits about them to pull off their most recent masquerade: Prudence as a dashing young man, and Robin as the lovely young sister.Of course, nothing is ever as easy as it seems, but that's more than half the fun! This was my first experience with Georgette Heyer's work, and it was absolutely delightful. Fascinating characters, intricate plots within plots within plots, and a goodly dash of romance. I have to admit, however, that I wanted to soundly shake the "old gentleman" on more than one occasion. He was far too pleased with himself for it to be healthy.
    • 4/5
      I like. Now this one has really solid characterization - even when they keep switching (outward) gender, Robin thinks one way and Prue quite another. The old gentleman is highly annoying (he is very good at his twisty plans, but he talks about them and himself far too much), but he isn't around enough to bother me. And I love Anthony - not as sleepy as he looks! Two happy ever afters - with one knowing the truth before, and one after. It would be interesting to see what Robin gets up to later, but I don't believe the story is continued - ah well, I'll just enjoy this one.
    • 5/5
      This is only the second Georgette Heyer book I've read and it was very different to my first, The Talisman Ring, in setting, language and plot. The Masqueraders is set just after the Jacobite Rising of 1745 and follows the adventures of Prudence and her brother Robin. Along with their father (referred to by his children as 'the old gentleman') Robin had been involved in the failed Jacobite rebellion and is now in danger of being hanged. To prevent him being captured, the brother and sister have created new roles for themselves - Robin has disguised himself as the beautiful 'Miss Merriot' and Prudence has become the handsome young 'Peter'. All very Shakespearean! Not surprisingly, this leads to a number of misunderstandings and narrow escapes.Things get even more interesting when Prudence, still posing as Peter Merriot, begins to fall in love with Sir Anthony Fanshawe – and then 'the old gentleman' arrives on the scene, claiming to be the lost heir to the Barham fortune.I found the story confusing and difficult to follow at first. I spent several chapters trying to work out exactly why Prudence and Robin had found it necessary to masquerade as people of the opposite sex and what they were hoping to achieve. It also took me a while to get used to the Georgian-style dialogue, with all the egads, alacks and other slang terms of the period.After a few chapters, however, various parts of the story started to fall into place and then I had no problem understanding what was happening. I ended up really enjoying this book. There were many things that made this book such a success for me. I thought the Georgian setting, with its powdered wigs, card games, sword fights and duels, was perfectly portrayed. The plot was full of twists and turns that kept my interest right to the end. And I loved the characters. The calm and cool-headed Prudence was the perfect balance for the more impetuous Robin - and both were fun and likeable. Watching Prudence's relationship with Sir Anthony develop was one of my highlights of the book. Robin's romance with Letty Grayson, who knew him only as a masked man known as the Black Domino, was equally well written.Most of all, I loved the 'old gentleman'. He was conceited, arrogant and a scheming rogue - but he was also hilarious and capable of coming up with such ingenious schemes that maybe his arrogance was justified.Having enjoyed both of the Georgette Heyer books I've read so far, I think I'm starting to become a fan and will definitely look out for more of her books!
    • 5/5
      Born to a father set on having adventures, Prudence and Robin Tremaine have lived a life on the run. They constantly are moving (often fleeing) from one place to another, and often have to do so in disguise. After Robin and his father take part in the failed Jacobite rebellion they split up and flee into the country side. Robin meets up with his sister, who stayed out of it, and they decide to swap genders to thoroughly hide Robin in the last place anyone will ever look – in a set of petticoats – to prevent him from being hanged. Prudence then becomes Mr Peter Marriot and Robin becomes Miss Kate Marriot.Together they travel to London and hope to meet up with their father there. That’s when they meet Sir Anthony and Letitia, Letty is currently attempting to elope with a Mr Markham only to find that he is a brute and not worth marrying, her attempt to change his mind on this score proves dangerous though. With the siblings help (a false swoon by “Kate” and a swift uppercut with the hilt of a sword by “Peter”) they rescue Letty and restore her to Sir Anthony, a friend of her father’s. In that meeting “Kate”, er, Robin falls hopelessly in love with Letty and “Peter”, er, Prudence falls hopelessly in love with Sir Anthony. Now, in true Georgette Heyer fashion, the stage is set for a romp unlike any other!This book was one of her earlier works and that definitely comes across in her writing. Her characters, her plot development, and her dialogue is just not as refined and well done, and that little extra twist of humor seems to be missing here. It is a wonderful book though and if I didn't have her later works to compare it with this book would have been wonderful all on its own.I loved reading about a female masquerading as a male credibly and showing that a woman can operate and work in the male environment just as smoothly as if she had been born to it if given half a chance. Prudence is admitted to a gentleman's club, smokes, drinks, takes snuff, plays cards, gambles, and gets into a street fight (through no fault of her own). Robin meanwhile is stuck going out on drives with old ladies, visiting with female friends (one in particular), and sits around in petticoats hiding yawns behind a fan. It is soon realized though that they are not managing to hood wink everyone and that's when things really start to take off.Their father appears in town and it appears that he is going for the biggest charade of them all. He is going to aim for settling down permanently and to do that he is claiming to be a long lost brother to a dead viscount and to claim the man's title. Can he do it? Will he convince the lawyers, the courts, and all of London that he is who he claims to be? And how is he going to get his children un gender switched and admitted to Society creditably?Any fan of historical romance would love this book to pieces. Especially if you enjoy adventures, sword fights, daring rescues and lots of intrigue. Seeing a female in a sword fight, and a male flirting in a dress are just perks to this ridiculously wonderful book. You won't regret reading it.Favorite Quote: Mr Merriot cocked an eyebrow at Kate, and said: - "Well, my dear, and did you kiss her good-night?" Miss Merriot kicked off her shoes, and replied in kind. "What, are you parted from the large gentleman already?" Mr Merriot looked into the fire, and a slow smile came, and the suspicion of a blush. "Lord, child!" said Miss Merriot. "Are you for the mammoth? It's a most respectable gentleman, my dear." Mr Merriot raised his eyes. "I believe I would not choose to cross him," he remarked inconsequently. "But I would trust him." Miss Merriot began to laugh. "Be a man, my Peter, I implore you." "Alack!" sighed Mr Merriot, "I feel all a woman."
    • 5/5
      I really needed a bit of fluff after a hard week and Susan’s reading of her Regency Romances made me want to grab a Georgette Heyer. Of course, this isn’t one of her Regency novels since it is set in the Georgian Period, just after the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie. It is one of her earliest novels but she already shows the genius that created so many masterpieces (yes, I’m a big fan!). The plot of this one is almost reminiscent of a Shakespearean Comedy and the dialogue may take some getting used to because of the speaking style then. But it is an entirely delightful way to spend a leisurely evening with a winter storm outside and a warm fire within!
    • 3/5
      The other overlooked book is The Masqueraders, also by Georgette Heyer. I liked this one better than April Lady, though it is a wildly improbable story. Perhaps because it is so over the top unbelievable and the protagonists are rather more clever than clueless, I found it more worthwhile. This features Prudence and Robin, siblings on the run after the failed Jacobite rebellion (of 1746 I believe). That makes this story much earlier than the Regency period that I am more familiar with. This is the era of wigs, powdered hair, rouge and patches, corsets, hoop skirts, and duels. Cross-dressing siblings who hide in plain sight among high society in London while awaiting the arrival of their father the inveterate intriguer--what could be better? Their father is the perfect example of feelings of grandiosity experienced during manic episodes or megalomania generally. That doesn't stop him from being a charmer and keeping even his own children guessing. This is a cross between a double-romance (brother and sister both conveniently find their loves at the same time) and high adventure with the requisite villains. Don't look for character development. Between the action and the dialogue there's no room for character growth. It's got kidnapping, swordfights, drinking, gaming, a long-lost heir, multiple denouements, what more can one ask for?
    • 5/5
      Okay, I think I'm starting to get it. This is my 5th Heyer, and my favorite so far--the first one I've absolutely loved.Prudence and Robin Marriot have returned to England in advance of their father, "the old gentleman." Their father is a con artist, and they're used to living a masquerade. This time, Prudence is dressed as a man, and Robin is dressed as a woman. I'm not quite clear what this is supposed to accomplish, but there's some danger relating to the Jacobite rising... Nevermind. It's not important.Anyway, they're in disguise at their father's orders, and the plan was to lie low, but at an inn they run across Letty Grayson, and rescue her from a disastrous elopement, just in time to send her home with family friend Anthony Fanshaw, who she thinks her father wants her to marry.Robin, as Kate, befriends Letty and eventually falls in love with her. Meanwhile, Anthony takes young Peter (Prudence) under his wing, and she falls in love with him, but she's apprehensive because he seems all too perceptive.And they're thrust into the middle of London society, drawing far more attention than they'd intended, and Peter/Prudence is getting into scrapes that Anthony just happens to be on the spot to rescue him/her from.Then their father arrives and announces he's a Viscount, the lost heir to the title, and things get even more topsy-turvy.It took me a while initially to realize what was going on--that Prudence = Peter and Robin = Kate. It's not directly stated in the beginning, and while on the one hand, I was confused when it's first revealed--Peter was attracted to Sir Anthony? I didn't realize Heyer was that controversial--on the other hand, the masquerade was delightful, and once I got my bearings, I liked the way it was revealed.The style is different from modern novels, at least most of the ones I read, and the reader doesn't get much of the characters' internal thoughts. Still, from their actions and dialogue, it's easy to discern what they're thinking and feeling. I'm beginning to see why so many authors love Heyer's work, and that ability to show emotion rather than just telling it.I know I have one, possibly two more Heyers in my TBR pile that a friend gave me. Once I read those, I'm going to have to start buying my own. I surrender--I'm hooked.
    • 4/5
      Though usually put off by gender-equality-by-numbers devices like dressing women in breeches, and in the minority of readers who never took to Georgette Heyer, I found this a neat, enjoyable story.
    • 5/5
      I have a hard time deciding if this or Venetia is my favorite Georgette Heyer. They are quite different, even the era is different... The Masqueraders is set in the mid-18th century. It is slightly more political than the others, as one of the major characters is a fugitive from the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his followers. Wonderful characters, great plot.
    • 4/5
      My first [Heyer] novel--from high school, no less. Maybe not one of her absolute best, but right up there. It started me on the Regency way!
    • 3/5
      Quite a pleasant book, but not one of her best

    Book preview

    The Masqueraders - Georgette Heyer

    One

    A Lady in Distress

    It had begun to rain an hour ago, a fine driving mist with the sky grey above. The gentleman riding beside the chaise surveyed the clouds placidly. ‘Faith, it’s a wonderful climate,’ he remarked of no one in particular.

    The grizzled serving man who rode some paces to the rear spurred up to him. ‘Best put up for the night, sir,’ he grunted. ‘There’s an inn a mile or two on.’

    The window of the chaise was let down with a clatter, and a lady looked out. ‘Child, you’ll be wet,’ she said to her cavalier. ‘How far to Norman Cross?’

    The serving man rode up close to the chaise. ‘Another hour, ma’am. I’m saying we’d best put up for the night.’

    ‘I’d as soon make Norman Cross,’ said the gentleman, ‘for all it’s plaguily damp.’

    ‘There’s an inn close by, as I remember,’ the servant repeated, addressing himself to the lady.

    ‘En avant, then. Produce me the inn,’ the lady said. ‘Give you joy of your England, Peter my little man.’

    The gentleman laughed. ‘Oh, it’s a comforting spot, Kate.’

    The inn came soon into sight, a square white house glimmering through the dusk. There were lights in the windows, and a post-chaise drawn up in the court before it.

    The gentleman came lightly down from the saddle. He was of medium height, and carried himself well. He had a neat leg encased in a fine riding boot, and a slender hand in an embroidered gauntlet.

    There was straightway a bustle at the inn. An ostler came running; mine host appeared in the porch with a bow and a scrape and a waiting man sped forth to assist in letting down the steps of the chaise.

    ‘Two bedchambers, for myself and my sister,’ said the gentleman. ‘Dinner, and a private room.’

    Consternation was in the landlord’s face. ‘Bedchambers, sir. Yes—on the instant! Polly, the two best bedchambers, and fires to be lit in them!’ A serving maid went scuttling off. ‘Sir, the private room!’ Mine host bowed, and spread a pair of deprecating hands. ‘But this moment, sir, it was bespoken by a lady and a gentleman travelling north.’ He looked slyly, and cast down his eyes. ‘But they stay only for dinner, sir, and if your honour and the lady would condescend to the coffee-room? There’s never a soul likely to come to-night, and ’twill be private enough.’

    There was a rustle of skirts. My lady came down from the chaise with a hand on her servant’s shoulder. ‘The coffee-room or any other so I get out of this wet!’ she cried, and swept into the inn with her cavalier behind her.

    They found themselves straight in a comfortable large room. There was a table set, and a wood fire burning in the hearth. A door led out into a passage at the back, where the stairs rose steeply, and another to one side, giving on to the taproom.

    A trim girl in a mob cap brought more candles, and dropped a shy curtsey to the lady. ‘If you please, my lady, should I take your ladyship’s cloak? Your ladyship’s abigail …?’

    ‘Alack, the creature’s not with me!’ mourned Madam Kate. ‘Take the cloak up to my chamber, child. So!’ She put back the hood from her head, and untied the strings round her throat. The cloak was given to the maid; Madam stood up in a taffety gown of blue spread over a wide hoop. She wore her fair ringlets en demie toilette, free from powder, with a blue ribbon threaded through, and a couple of curls allowed to fall over her shoulder. The maid thought her a prodigiously lovely lady and bobbed another curtsey before she went away with the cloak.

    My lady’s brother gave his three-cornered hat into his servant’s keeping, and struggled out of his greatcoat. He was much of his sister’s height, a little taller perhaps, and like enough to her in appearance. His hair was of a darker brown, confined demurely at the neck by a black riband; and his eyes showed more grey than blue in the candlelight. Young he seemed, for his cheek was innocent of all but the faintest down; but he had a square shoulder, and a good chin, rounded, but purposeful enough. The landlord, following him into the coffee-room, was profuse in apologies and obeisances, for he recognised a member of the Quality. The lady wore a fine silk gown, and Mr Merriot a modish coat of brown velvet, with gold lacing, and a quantity of Mechlin lace at his throat and wrists. A pretty pair, in all, with the easy ways of the Quality, and a humorous look about the eyes that made them much alike. The landlord began to talk of capons and his best burgundy, and was sent off to produce them.

    Miss Merriot sat down by the fire, and stretched one foot in its buckled shoe to the blaze. There was a red heel to her shoe, and marvellous embroidered clocks to her silken stockings. ‘So!’ said Miss Merriot. ‘How do you, my Peter?’

    ‘I don’t melt in a shower of rain, I believe,’ Peter said, and sat down on the edge of the table, swinging one booted leg.

    ‘No, faith, child, there’s too much of you for that.’

    The gentleman’s rich chuckle sounded. ‘I’m sufficiently substantial, in truth,’ he remarked. He drew out his gold and enamelled snuff-box from one of his huge coat pockets, and took a pinch with an air, delicately shaking the ruffles of lace back from his wrists. A ruby ring glowed on one of his long fingers, while on the other hand he wore a big gold seal ring. A smile crept up into his eyes, and lurked at the corners of his mouth. ‘I’d give something to know where the old gentleman is,’ he said.

    ‘Safe enough, I’ll be bound,’ Madam answered, and laughed. ‘It’s the devil himself, I believe, and will appear in London to snap his fingers under the noses of all King George’s men.’

    ‘Fie, Kate: my poor, respected papa!’ Mr Merriot was not shocked. He fobbed his snuff-box and put it away. A faint crease showed between his brows. ‘For all he named London—egad, ’tis like his impudence!—it’s odds he’s gone to France.’

    ‘I don’t permit myself to hope too much,’ said Miss Merriot, with a smile at once dreamy and a little impish. ‘He’ll be there to lead us another of his mad dances. If not … I’ve a mind to try our own fortunes.’

    ‘In truth, I’ve a kindness for the old gentleman,’ said Mr Merriot pensively. ‘His dances lead somewhere.’

    ‘To lost causes.’ There was a hint of bitterness in the tone.

    Mr Merriot looked up. ‘Ay, you’ve taken it to heart.’

    ‘Not I.’ Kate jerked a shoulder as though to shake something off. ‘We went into it—egad, why did we go into it?’

    ‘Ask the old gentleman,’ said Mr Merriot, the slow smile creeping up again. ‘He had a loyal fervour, belike.’

    Kate drew down the corners of her mouth. ‘It’s a pleasing image. He meant it for a beau geste, I dare swear. And we? Well, I suppose we went willy nilly into the net.’

    ‘I don’t regret it. The old gentleman meddled in Saxe’s affairs, but we came out of that net.’

    ‘That was in the nature of adventuring. This—’ Kate paused. ‘Bah, I hate lost causes! It was different.’

    ‘For you?’ Mr Merriot lifted an eyebrow. ‘Did you want the Prince, child?’

    ‘We fought for him while it lasted. He had the right. But now it’s over, and the Butcher’s made a shambles of the North, and there are those who have died on Tower Hill, while we—we try our fortunes, and the old gentleman weaves us a fresh net. I believe I’ll turn respectable.’

    ‘Alack, we were made for sobriety!’ said Mr Merriot.

    Came the landlord, and a serving maid with dinner. Covers were laid, and a cork drawn. Miss Merriot and her brother sat down to fat capons and a generous pasty. They were left presently toying with sweetmeats and their wine. The maid bore off all that remained of the capons through the door that led into the passage. The door was left ajar and allowed a glimpse of another door, across the passageway. From behind it came the sound of a lady’s voice raised in protest.

    ‘I won’t, I tell you!’ it said. ‘I won’t!’

    There came the sound of a deeper voice, half coaxing, half bullying; then the lady cried out again, on a hysterical note of panic. ‘I won’t go with you! You sh-shan’t elope with me against my will! Take me home! Oh please, Mr Markham, take me home!’

    Miss Merriot looked at her brother. He got up, and went unhurriedly to the door, and stood listening.

    The man’s voice was raised now in anger. ‘By God, Letty, you shan’t fool me like that!’

    Following on a crash from behind the closed door as of a fist banged on the table, came a choked, imploring murmur.

    ‘No!’ barked the man’s voice. ‘If I have to gag you, to Gretna you’ll go, Letty! D’you think I’m fool enough to let you slip through my fingers now?’

    Mr Merriot turned his head. ‘My dear, I believe I don’t like the noisy gentleman,’ he said calmly.

    Madam Kate listened to a cry of: ‘My papa will come! I won’t marry you, oh, I won’t!’ and a faint frown was between her eyes.

    There came the sound of a coarse laugh. Evidently the gentleman had been drinking. ‘I think you will,’ he said significantly.

    Miss Merriot bit one finger nail. ‘It seems we must interfere, my Peter.’

    Peter looked rueful, and drew his sword a little way out of the scabbard.

    ‘No, no, child, put up!’ said Madam, laughing. ‘We know a trick worth two of that. We must have the fox out of his earth, though.’

    ‘Stay you there,’ said her brother, and went out into the courtyard, and called to John, his servant.

    John came.

    ‘Who’s the owner of the post-chaise, John?’ inquired Mr Merriot.

    The answer was severe. ‘It’s a Mr Markham, sir, running off to Gretna with a rich heiress, so they say. And the lady not out of her teens. There’s wickedness!’

    ‘John’s propriety is offended,’ murmured Miss Merriot. ‘We will dispose, John, since God seems unwilling. I want a stir made.’

    ‘Best not meddle,’ said John phlegmatically. ‘We’ve meddled enough.’

    ‘A cry of fire,’ mused Mr Merriot. ‘Fire or footpads. Where do I lie hid?’

    ‘Oh, are you with me already?’ admired Kate. ‘Let me have a fire, John, or a parcel of daring footpads, and raise the ostlers.’

    John fetched a sigh. ‘We’ve played that trick once before. Will you never be still?’

    Mr Merriot laughed. ‘It’s a beauty in distress, John, and Kate must be up and doing.’

    A grunt only was vouchsafed, and the glimmering of a grim smile. John went out. Arose presently in the courtyard a shout, and a glow, and quickly uproar.

    ‘Now I wonder how he made that fire?’ said Miss Merriot, amused.

    ‘There’s a shed and some straw. Enough for John. Well, it’s a fine stir.’ Mr Merriot went to the window. ‘Mine host leads the household out in force. The wood’s so damp ’twill be out in a moment. Do your part, sister.’ Mr Merriot vanished into the deserted taproom.

    Miss Merriot added then to the stir by a scream, close followed by another, and a cry of:—‘Fire, fire! Help, oh help!’

    The door across the passage was burst open, and a dark gentleman strode out. ‘What in hell’s name?’ he began. His face was handsome in the swarthy style, but flushed now with wine. His eye lighted on Miss Merriot, and a smell of burning assailed his nostrils. ‘What’s the noise? Gad, is the place on fire?’ He came quickly into the coffee-room, and received Miss Merriot in his unwilling arms. Miss Merriot neatly tripped up her chair, and with a moan of ‘Save me!’ collapsed onto Mr Markham’s chest.

    He grasped the limp form perforce, and found it a dead weight on his arm. His companion, a slim child of no more than eighteen, ran to the window. ‘Oh, ’tis only an old shed caught fire away to the right!’ she said.

    Mr Markham strove to restore the fainting Miss Merriot. ‘Compose yourself, madam! For God’s sake, no vapours! There’s no danger. Damnation, Letty, pick the chair up!’

    Miss Letty came away from the window towards Miss Merriot’s fallen chair. Mr Markham was tightly clasping that unconscious lady, wrath at his own helpless predicament adding to the already rich colour in his face.

    ‘The devil take the woman, she weighs a ton!’ swore Mr Markham. ‘Pick the chair up, I say!’

    Miss Letty bent to take hold of it. She heard a door open behind her, and turning saw Mr Merriot.

    Of a sudden Miss Merriot came to life. In round-eyed astonishment Miss Letty saw that lady no longer inanimate, but seemingly struggling to be free.

    Mr Merriot was across the floor in a moment.

    ‘Unhand my sister, sir!’ cried he in a wonderful fury.

    Miss Merriot was thrust off. ‘God’s Life, ’twas herself—’ began Mr Markham, but got no further. His chin came into sudden contact with Mr Merriot’s sword hilt, nicely delivered, and Mr Markham fell heavily all amongst the table legs.

    ‘Oh, neatly done, i’faith!’ vowed Miss Merriot. ‘Down like an ox, as I live! Set the coach forward, Peter, and you, child, upstairs with you to my chamber.’

    Miss Letty’s hand was caught in a firm clasp. Quite bewildered she was swirled away by the competent Miss Merriot.

    Miss Merriot’s brother put up his sword, and went out into the court. John seemed to rise up out of the gloom to meet him. ‘All well, sir?’

    Mr Merriot nodded. ‘Where’s the dear gentleman’s chaise, John?’

    John jerked a thumb over his shoulder.

    ‘Horses put to?’ inquired Mr Merriot.

    ‘Ay, they’re ready to be off. The men are in the taproom—it’s dry they are after the great fire. There’s an ostler to the horses’ heads.’

    ‘I don’t want that ostler there,’ said Mr Merriot. ‘Drive the chaise past Stilton, John, and hide it somewhere where the gentleman won’t find it too soon.’

    ‘Hide a chaise and horses, is it?’ John growled.

    ‘It is, John,’ said Mr Merriot serenely. ‘Tell that ostler that I want a horse saddled on the instant. One of our own, if need be. I shall set the dear gentleman after you, John. God speed you.’

    ‘Ah, it’s a mad couple you are!’ said John, but he moved away to where the lights of the chaise shone. Mr Merriot heard him give the order to the ostler, and offer to hold the horses’ heads. He heard the ostler run off towards the stables and himself turned back into the coffee-room smiling placidly.

    Miss Merriot had come downstairs again and was standing by the fallen Mr Markham calmly surveying him. ‘Well, child, is it done?’ she asked.

    The clatter of horses and the rumble of wheels on the cobbles answered her. John was off; they heard the chaise roll away down the road to London. Miss Merriot laughed and dropped her brother a mock curtsey. ‘My compliments, child. It’s you have the head, indeed. Now what to do for the poor gentleman? Water, my Peter, and a napkin. Observe me all solicitude.’ She sank down on to the floor, and lifted Mr Markham’s head into her lap. Mr Merriot was chuckling again as he handed her the water, and a napkin.

    The landlord came hurrying in, and stared in horror at what he saw. ‘Sir—madam! The gentleman’s coach is off! Oh law, madam! The gentleman!’

    ‘Off is it?’ Mr Merriot was interested. ‘Tut, tut! And the lady in it, belike?’

    The landlord’s jaw dropped. ‘Ay, that would be it! But what’s come to the gentleman, sir? Good lord, sir, never say—’

    ‘The poor gentleman!’ said Miss Merriot, holding a wet napkin to Mr Markham’s brow. ‘’Twas the drink turned the head on his shoulders, I dare swear. An accident, host. I believe he won’t die of it.’

    ‘A warning to all abductors,’ said Mr Merriot piously.

    A gleam of understanding shot into the landlord’s eyes. ‘Sir, he’ll be raving mad when he comes to.’

    ‘A warning to you, good fellow, not to be by,’ said Mr Merriot.

    There was significance in Mr Merriot’s voice. It occurred to mine host that the less he knew of the matter the better it might be for himself, on all sides. He went out discreetly at what time Mr Markham gave vent to a faint groan.

    Mr Markham came slowly back to consciousness, and opened heavy eyes. He did not at once remember much, but he was aware of a swollen jaw-bone which hurt him. A cool hand was placed on his brow, and something wet was laid on his sore chin. He rolled his eyes upwards, groaning, and saw a fair face bent over him, framed in golden ringlets. He stared up at it, trying to collect his bemused wits, and vaguely it seemed to him that he had seen that face before, with its fine, rather ironical blue eyes, and its curiously square chin. He blinked, and frowned in the effort to pull himself together, and saw the delicate mouth smile.

    ‘Thank God you are better!’ came a cooing voice. ‘I have been in an agony! Dear sir, pray lie still; ’twas a cruel blow, and oh the misunderstanding! Peter, a glass of wine for the gentleman! There, sir, let me but raise your head.’

    Mr Markham allowed it, perforce, and sipped at the wine held to his lips. Some of the mists were clearing from his brain. He raised himself on his elbow, and looked round.

    ‘Oh, you are much better!’ cooed the voice. ‘But gently, sir. Don’t, I implore you, overtax your strength.’

    Mr Markham’s gaze came to rest on a flowered waistcoat. He put a hand to his head, and his eyes travelled slowly up the waistcoat to Mr Merriot’s grave face. Mr Merriot was on one knee, glass of wine in hand; Mr Merriot looked all concern.

    Recollection came. ‘Burn it, you’re the fellow Mr Markham’s hand went to his jaw; he glared at Peter Merriot. ‘Did you—By God, sir, did you—?’

    ‘Let me help you to a chair, sir,’ said Mr Merriot gently. ‘In truth you are shaken, and no wonder. Sir, I cannot sufficiently beg your pardon.’

    Mr Markham was on his feet now, dizzy and bewildered. ‘Was it you knocked me down, sir? Answer me that!’ he panted.

    ‘Alas, sir, I did!’ said Mr Merriot. ‘I came in to find my sister struggling, as I thought, in your arms. Can you blame me, sir? My action was the impulse of the moment.’

    Mr Markham was put into a chair. He fought for words, a hand still held to his jaw. ‘Struggling? she flung herself at me in a swoon!’ he burst out.

    Miss Merriot was kneeling at his feet, napkin in hand. Mr Markham thrust it aside with an impotent snarl. ‘You have the right to be angry, sir,’ sighed Miss Merriot. ‘’Twas all my folly, but oh sir, when the bustle started, and they were crying fire without I scarce knew what I did!’ Her fair head was bent in modest confusion. Mr Markham did not heed her.

    ‘Blame you? blame you? Yes, sir, I can!’ he said wrathfully. ‘A damnable little puppy to—to—’ Words failed him; he sat nursing his jaw and fuming.

    Mr Merriot said haughtily:—‘You’re heated sir, and I believe excusably. I don’t heed what you say therefore. I have asked your pardon for a mistake—understandable, I contend—that I made.’

    ‘Puppy!’ snapped Mr Markham, and drank off the rest of the wine in the glass. It seemed to restore him. He got up unsteadily and his hot gaze swept round again. ‘Letty!’ he shot out. ‘Where is the girl?’

    ‘Dear sir, indeed you are not yourself yet!’ Miss Merriot laid a soothing hand on his arm. ‘There is no girl here save myself.’

    She was shaken off. ‘No girl, you say?’ roared Mr Markham, and went blundering towards the room across the passage. ‘Letty!’ he shouted. ‘Letty, I say! Hell and damnation, her cloak’s gone!’ He came back, his face dark with rage and suspicion, and caught at Mr Merriot’s straight shoulder. ‘Out with it! Where is she? Where have you hidden her? You don’t trick me, my fine sir!’

    Miss Merriot, hovering watchfully, cast herself between them, and clung to her brother. ‘No, no!’ she cried. ‘No swords, I do beseech you. Sir, you are raving! There is no girl here that I have seen.’

    Mr Merriot put his sister aside. ‘But wait!’ he said slowly. ‘As I remember there was a lady in the room as I came in. A child with black hair. My sister was overwrought, sir, and maybe forgets. Yes, there was a lady.’ He looked round as though he expected to see her lurking in some corner.

    ‘Damme, it won’t serve!’ cried out the infuriated Mr Markham, and went striding off to the door that led into the taproom, calling loudly for the landlord.

    Mine host came quickly, with an uneasy look in his face. In answer to Mr Markham’s furious query he said nervously that in the scare of the fire someone had driven off with his worship’s chaise, and he doubted but that the lady was in it.

    Mr Markham swung round to face Peter Merriot again, and there came a red light into his eyes, while his hand fumbled at his sword hilt. ‘Ah, you’re in this!’ he snarled.

    Mr Merriot paused in the act of taking snuff. ‘Your pardon, sir?’ he asked in some surprise. ‘A lady gone off in your post-chaise, and myself in it? I don’t understand you, sir. Who is the lady, and why should she go off so? Why, it’s churlish of her, I protest.’

    Mr Markham seemed undecided. ‘It’s no business of yours,’ he said savagely. ‘But if I find ’twas you did it.—Which way did the chaise go?’

    ‘To—towards London, sir,’ nervously answered mine host. ‘But ’tis only what Tom says. I didn’t see myself, and indeed, sir—’

    Mr Markham said something between his teeth at which mine host cast a horrified glance at Miss Merriot. The lady appeared to be unmoved. ‘Saddle me a horse at once! Where’s my hat?’

    Light dawned on Mr Merriot. ‘Egad, it’s a runaway, Kate. Faith, sir, it seems my—er—impetuosity was indeed ill-timed. A horse, of course! You should be up with the chaise soon enough. A horse for the gentleman!’ Mr Merriot swept out into the court, bearing mine host before him.

    ‘It’s ready saddled, sir, but Tom says the gentleman ordered it half an hour since,’ said the puzzled landlord.

    ‘Saddled and ready, eh? Then see it brought round to the door, for the gentleman’s in a hurry.’

    ‘Yes, sir, but how came it that the horse was bespoke when the gentleman was a-laying like one dead?’

    ‘Bespoke? A ruse, man, a ruse, and your man in madam’s pay very like. Best keep your mouth shut. Ah, behold the bereft gentleman!’

    Mr Markham came stamping out with his hat rammed over his nose, and managed to hoist himself into the saddle with the assistance of two scared ostlers. He gathered the bridle up, and turned to glare down upon Mr Merriot. ‘I’ll settle with you later,’ he promised ferociously, and setting spurs to his horse dashed off into the darkness.

    Miss Merriot came out to lay a hand on her brother’s shoulder. ‘The dear gentleman!’ she remarked. ‘Very well, child, but what next?’

    Two

    Arrival of a Large Gentleman

    Brother and sister went back into the coffee-room. As they entered by one door a little figure tiptoed in at the other, and stood poised on one toe as if for flight. ‘Has he gone?’ breathed Miss Letitia.

    It was Peter Merriot who went forward and took the lady’s hand. ‘Why, yes, child, gone for the moment,’ he said, and led her to the fire.

    She raised a pair of big pansy-brown eyes. ‘Oh, thank you, sir!’ she said. ‘And you too, dear madam.’

    Miss Merriot flushed slightly, whereat the humorous look came into Peter’s eye again. He looked down at Miss Letty gravely enough, and pulled a chair forward. ‘Sit down, madam, and let us have the story, if you please. I should desire to know how we may serve you.’

    ‘You have served me,’ vowed the lady, clasping her hands in her lap. ‘My story is all folly, sir—wicked folly rising out of the most dreadful persecution.’

    ‘You shock me, madam.’

    Miss Merriot came to the fire, and sat down beside the little lady, who promptly caught her hand and kissed it. ‘I don’t know what I should have done without you!’ she said fervently. ‘For I had quite made up my mind I didn’t want to go to Gretna Green at all. You see, I had never seen him in his cups before. It was a terrible awakening. He became altered altogether once we were out of London, and—and I was afraid—a little.’ She looked up blushing. ‘At home when I saw him he was so different, you see.’

    ‘Do I understand, my dear, that you consented to elope with the gentleman?’ inquired Miss Merriot.

    The black curls were nodded vigorously. ‘I thought it would be so romantic,’ sighed Letty. She brightened. ‘And so it was, when you hit him,’ she added, turning to Peter. ‘It was positively marvellous!’

    ‘Did you elope with him for the romance of it?’ asked Mr Merriot, amused.

    ‘That, and because of my papa,’ said Letty. ‘And because of being bored. Oh, have you never known, ma’am, what it is to be cooped up, and kept so close that you are ready to die of boredom?’

    ‘In truth, I’ve led something of a rover’s life,’ said Miss Merriot. ‘But continue, child.’

    ‘I am an heiress,’ announced Letty in tones the most lugubrious.

    ‘My felicitations, ma’am,’ bowed Mr Merriot.

    ‘Felicitations! I wish I were a pauper, sir! If a man comes to the house my papa must needs imagine he is after my money. He said that of Gregory Markham. And indeed I think he was right,’ she said reflectively. ‘Ma’am, I think fathers are—are the veriest plague.’

    ‘We have suffered, child,’ said Miss Merriot.

    ‘Then, ma’am, you will feel for me. My papa puts a hateful disagreeable woman to be my duenna, and I am so guarded and sheltered that there is nothing amusing ever happens to me, in spite of having been brought to town. Add to all that, ma’am, Sir Anthony Fanshawe, and you will see why I had come to the pitch of doing anything only to get away!’

    ‘I feel we are to deplore Sir Anthony, Kate,’ said Mr Merriot.

    ‘It is not that I am not fond of him,’ Letty explained. ‘I have always been fond of him, but conceive, ma’am, being required to marry a man whom you have known all your life! A man, too, of his years and disposition!’

    ‘I perceive

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1