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Clad in his customary black and silver, with raven hair unpowdered and elaborately dressed, diamonds on his fingers and in his cravat, Hugh Tracy Clare Belmanoir, Duke of Andover, sat at the escritoire in the library of his town house, writing.
He wore no rouge on his face, the almost unnatural pallor of which seemed designedly enhanced by a patch set beneath his right eye. Brows and lashes were black, the former slanting slightly up at the corners, but his narrow, heavy-lidded eyes were green and strangely piercing. The thin lips curled a little, sneering, as one dead-white hand travelled to and fro across the paper.
'...but it seems that the Fair Lady has a Brother, who, finding Me Enamoured, threw down the Gauntlet. I soundly whipt the presumptuous Child, and so the Affair ends. Now, as you, My dear Frank, also took some Interestt in the Lady, I write for the Express Purpose of informing You that at my Hands she has received no Hurt, nor is not like to. That I in part tell You and You shall not imagine Yr self in Honor bound again to call Me out, which Purpose, an I mistake not, I yesterday read in Yr Eyes. I should be Exceeding loth to meet You in a Second Time, when I should consider it my Duty to teach You an even severer Lesson than Before. This I am not Wishful of doing for the Liking I bear You. 'So in all Friendship believe me, Frank,
'Your most Obedient, Humble
'Devil.'
His Grace of Andover paused, pen held in mid-air. A mocking smile dawned in his eyes, and he wrote again.
'In the event of any Desire on Yr Part to hazard Yr Luck with my late Paramour, Permit Me to warn You 'gainst the Bantam Brother, who is in Very Truth a Fire-Eater, and would wish to make of You, as of Me, one Mouthfull. I shall hope to see You at the Queensberry Rout on Thursday, when You may Once More strive to direct mine Erring Footsteps on to the Thorny Path of Virtue.'
His Grace read the postscript through with another satisfied, sardonic smile. Then he folded the letter, and affixing a wafer, peremptorily struck the hand-bell at his side.
And the Honourable Frank Fortescue, reading the postscript half-an-hour later, smiled too, but differently. Also he sighed and put the letter into the fire.
'And so ends another affaire... I wonder if you'll go insolently to the very end?' he said softly, watching the paper shrivel and flare up. 'I would to God you might fall honestly in love-and that the lady might save you from yourself-my poor Devil!'
Prologue
One: At The Chequers Inn, Fallowfield
Two: My Lord at the White Hart
Three: Introducing the Hon Richard Carstares
Four: Introducing the Lady Lavinia Carstares
Five: His Grace of Andover
Six: Bath: 29 Queen Square
Seven: Introducing Sundry New Characters
Eight: The Biter Bit
Nine: Lady O'Hara Intervenes
Ten: Lady O'Hara Retires
Eleven: My Lord Turns Rescuer and Comes Nigh Ending His Life
Twelve: My Lord Dictates a Letter and Receives a Visitor
Thirteen: My Lord Makes His Bow
Fourteen: Mistress Diana is Unmaidenly
Fifteen: O'Hara's Mind is Made Up
Sixteen: Mr Bettison Proposes
Seventeen: Lady O'Hara Wins Her Point
Eighteen: Enter Captain Harold Lovelace
Nineteen: The Reappearance of His Grace of Andover
Twenty: His Grace of Andover Takes a Hand in the Game
Twenty-one: Mrs Fanshawe Lights a Fire and O'Hara Fans the Flame
Twenty-two: Developments
Twenty-three: Lady Lavinia Goes to the Play
Twenty-four: Richard Plays the Man
Twenty-five: His Grace of Andover Captures the Queen
Twenty-six: My Lord Rides to Frustrate His Grace
Twenty-seven: My Lord Enters by the Window
Twenty-eight: In Which What Threatened to be Tragedy Turns to Comedy
Twenty-nine: Lady O'Hara is Triumphant
Epilogue
The late Georgette Heyer was a very private woman. Her historical novels have charmed and delighted millions of readers for decades, though she rarely reached out to the public to discuss her works or private life. It is known that she was born in Wimbledon in August 1902, and her first novel, The Black Moth, was published in 1921.
Heyer published 56 books over the next 53 years, until her death from lung cancer in 1974. Heyer's large volume of works included Regency romances, mysteries and historical fiction. Known also as the Queen of Regency romance, Heyer was legendary for her research, historical accuracy and her extraordinary plots and characterizations. Her last book, My Lord John, was published posthumously in 1975. She was married to George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer, and they had one son together, Richard.
My Synopsis:
It's hard to believe that beloved novelist Georgette Heyer wrote her first novel at the age of 15. Historical fiction would not be the same without Georgette Heyer's Regency Romances. Mrs. Heyer wrote her first novel, The Black Moth to entertain her brother who was convalescing at the time.
In The Black Moth, Heyer introduces us to some very memorable characters. The highwayman, who just happens to be an Earl, Jack Carstares. The damsel in distress, Diana Beauleigh. The handsome Irishman, Miles O'Hara and 'The Devil' himself, The Duke of Andover.
Jack Carstares left England in disgrace when he took the blame for his brothers indiscretion. Being considered a cheat was no laughing matter. Carstares eventually turns to the way of the highwayman to amuse and distract himself, giving the money to the poor. The Black Moth centers around the Earl's return to grace, his love for the beautiful Diana and his relationship with his adversary, The Duke of Andover.
My Thoughts:
This was my first experience with a Georgette Heyer book. I had often heard of her in historical fiction circles and knew she sounded like an author I would enjoy. This book was excellent! Some people have a hard time with the style of writing from this period, the book was originally published in 1921, but I didn't find it hard to follow at all.
The Black Moth had all the adventure and romance of any contemporary tale. The characters were well developed and the story did not move too quickly. I became invested in Diana's character almost immediately. The young girl at the mercy of the handsome Duke. Not only that, but in love with a disgraced man. The stylish Earl dressed as a highwayman who couldn't bring himself to rob women or old men, was also a very winning character. I even found myself wishing that 'The Devil,' The Duke of Andover would somehow find the straight and narrow path.
An great story, set in a decadent time period. What more can you ask for in a great romance?
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 2, 2006
Telling by the cover this reminded me of the Princess Bride since in this there is a mention of the sport fence as well is in the Princess Bride. This is the story about Jack who is disgraced and must get back his honor, ask the woman he loves for her hand and marriage and defeat the notorious Black Moth all at the same time. What a multitasker. I liked how the author portrayed her heriones in a different light then how they are today including the heroes of course.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 11, 2003
Georgette Heyer novels started my passion for romance novels and this book is one of the best. It has a great story, a hero worthy of the sobriquet hero, a great villain, an intrepid heroine and lots of humor. My only complaint is that the book isn't longer. If you aren't acquainted with the works of Georgette Heyer, then you have a real treat awaiting you and this book is one of her gems. These books have been hard to find, so it is wonderful that they are being reprinted.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Schmooby-Doo
Posted May 28, 2011
Disgraced hero rescues heroine from bad guy. Sounds like a simple swashbuckler and yes it is. What sets it apart is the author's use of language, knowledge and description of fashion and stellar characterizations. You'll come to know these people and you are transported to 18th century England. No bodice ripping here and there's no need either! Nobody comes close to G. Heyer for this period and her Regency novels --- she is the Gold Standard. My family (guys and gals) have been reading her for decades! G. Heyer just seemed to have lived in those times; that how good her grasp is on it! Enjoy! Highly recommended and there is some great sword play. I'll never know why her books were never filmed because you will be able to picture them, that's how good this book is.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 22, 2011
I Also Recommend:
THE BLACK MOTH BY GEORGETTE HEYER IS AWESOME!!!
THIS IS DEFINITELY THE BEST VERSION OF THIS EBOOK FOR A COUPLE REASONS.
IT IS THE BEST FORMATTED AND THE VALUE IS SO GREAT.
IT IS WORTH YOUR INVESTMENT OF TIME AND MONEY TO GET THIS BOOK TODAY.
betty38bs
Posted September 8, 2011
Enjoyed the book
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.doesn't have the complete ending as the book
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Overview
Jack Carstares, oldest son of the Earl Wyncham, disgraced six years earlier, returns home and becomes a highwayman so that he is able to live in the land he loves without detection. One day while out riding he foils an abduction plot mastered by the infamous Duke of Andover. Injured while rescuing the damsel in distress, he is taken home by the thankful Diana Beauleigh and her Aunt Betty, to recover. Mystery and intrigue continue to the melodrama's end...