Friday’s Child
Lord Sheringham (Sherry), a headstrong rake, needs to marry to attain control of his inheritance from the hands of the trustees, who he distrusts. To solve his problem he makes a proposal to his friend, Miss Isabella Milborne. However, when the lady refuses him, because they simply do not love each other, he is very angry. He is used to having his own way and so, in temper, decides he will propose to the next lady he meets. Rash and foolish as this is, it leads him to Miss Hero Wantage (aptly called Kitten), an orphan of good family, whom he has known for many years. She is being forced to either marry a curate or become a governess, and so Sherry proposes a marriage of convenience, which is where the fun and conflict begin. Hero is young and, although charming, is unsophisticated. She is naïve and foolish and behaves quite badly at times. The fault is not entirely hers, as she tends to look to him and his friends as examples. However, Sherry changes as he observes this. When Hero runs away, he finally understands just how much he really does love her.
Georgette Heyer’s unique style and her vast knowledge of the Regency period are elegantly displayed in this novel. It is said to be her favourite, and I can see why. From the first page the dialogue is witty and fast-paced. The author’s incredible eye for detail creates a colourful world in which the characters play out this intricate romp. Hero stumbles into a number of scrapes that she is rescued from until love, ultimately, wins the day. Friday’s Child is a captivating read into Heyer’s world of the Regency ton.
