I received this book for free from my own shelves in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: my own shelves
April Lady
by
Georgette Heyer
historical romance in a Kindle edition that was published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on January 1, 1957 and has 290 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include These Old Shades, Bath Tangle, Lady of Quality, The Black Moth, Venetia, The Spanish Bride, Simon the Coldheart, Beauvallet, A Civil Contract, Regency Buck, An Infamous Army, Frederica, The Unknown Ajax, Black Sheep, Sprig Muslin, Sylvester or the Wicked Uncle, The Grand Sophy, These Old Shades, Arabella, Powder and Patch, The Reluctant Widow, The Nonesuch, False Colours, The Corinthian
A standalone historical romance revolving around Nell, Lady Cardross, and both sides of the family.
My Take
It’s the typical story of high-born ladies, and it gets interesting when Allandale asks for Letty’s hand in marriage. It’s her brother’s response that is unexpected.
It’s the usual set of problems with Nell’s family poor and their father a control freak who won’t let Dysart do anything constructive, which causes him to be out of control.
Meanwhile the frivolous and expensive Letty has her heart set on a man with no fortune.
While Nell’s is the primary perspective, Heyer uses third person global subjective point-of-view from the perspectives of a variety of characters so we learn what they’re thinking, feeling, and experiencing.
While mostly character-driven with a range of characters not usually experienced in a Heyer historical romance, there is action and humor to keep things moving along.
The Story
Nell is having too much fun being married, to a wealthy man, and she’s cutting quite the swath across London. Only her mama’s advice may have been wrong. And Nell is determined that Cardross not learn of her latest folly..
The Characters
Helen “Nell”, Lady Cardross, has her match grays. Sutton is her maid. Giles, the Earl of Cardross, is Nell’s wealthy husband. Farley is the London butler. James is the coachman. Mr Kent is Cardross’ man of business. George is the porter. Mrs Clopton appears to be the housekeeper.
The lively Lady Letitia, a.k.a. Letty, is Nell’s sister-in-law and Cardross’ half-sister. Martha is Letty’s maid. Felix Hetherset, a cousin, is a stickler. Aunt Thorne has three daughters — Selina, Maria (married to Mr Thistleton), and Fanny (Humby may propose) and helped raise Letty. I think Thomas is her butler. Betty is Mrs Thorne’s maid. Miss Woodbridge had been the Thornes’ governess. Aunt Chudleigh is formidable and has a daughter, Miriam. Aunt Honoria lives in Bath.
The sober Jeremy Allandale is not up to Letty’s rank and fortune. Lord Roxwell, his father’s friend, has helped with Allandale’s career. He has several siblings he supports and include Philip whose uncle has promised him a living inn Holy Orders, Edward and Tom are at school, and at least one sister. Jeremy’s mother lives at Wimbledon.
The stubborn, immoderate Dysart, a viscount, is Nell’s brother. Lord Pevensey is Dysart and Nell’s father, deep in debt. Lady Pevensey, their mother, is even worse. Cornelius “Corny” Fancot, a friend of Dysart’s from their Harrow days, is shy around the ladies. Mouton is the Pevensey family agent. Joe is Dysart’s groom. Miss Wilby had been Nell’s governess.
Lord Dorset on his white horse. Mrs Toddington and her chestnuts. The censorious Bottisham. Hardwick. The Beadings — the missus is Nell’s cousin — are having a masquerade. Westbury, Sir George Marlow. The Westburys’ had a drum. Sir Jasper Lydney and Brixworth are rakes. Lady Brixworth has an alfresco party. George Burnley. The pregnant Maria, Lady Eastwell, is married to Sir Godfrey. The Prince Regent’s London residence was Carlton House. Jack appears to be a friend of Dysart’s. Mr Wittering. The Thornes know the Reverend William Tuxted. The Berry sisters are elderly friends of Giles’ mama. Lady Sefton is kind but gossipy. Lady Cowper. Sir John Somerby. Wellington is battling Napoleon. Longa is a guerrilla. Cousin Lionel is serving aboard a frigate.
Madame Lavalle is a dressmaker. Mr King, a.k.a. Jew King, is a banker? in Clarges Street. Gunter’s is the place for ice cream. Mrs Mee does likenesses. Tattersall’s is an auctioneer of race horses and appears to accept bets. Jerry Stowe has some good tips. Men’s gaming clubs include White’s and Watier’s. Brummel is Watier’s president; Augustus Labourie organizes the dinners, Clothiers for men include Weston for coats, hats at Baxter’s, and boots by Hoby. Mr Blake is a hairdresser. Mr Lawrence paints portraits. Mr Tubbs is a horticulturist. Mrs Siddons is an actress. Charles Kemble writes. Tilton is a dentist. Dr Baillie is the Cardross physician. Jeffrey’s and Mr Catworth are both in the jewelry trade. Mrs Puttenham runs a seminary. Mr and Mrs Shotwick are the landlords where Allandale lives. Osterley is a popular park for picnics. The muslin company is a polite term for prostitutes which includes high flyers, Incognitas, prime articles, etc. Jackson’s offers boxing lessons.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a mottled deep brown background with a suggestion of paintings on the wall. There is also a green-clothed table on the left and a screen in a faded orange on the right. In front of this are two ladies seated and holding hands, both dressed in elaborate fashions. One lady is on the left in deep pinks while the other, on the right, is in creams and teal. Most of the text is in white, At the top is an info blurb with the author’s name immediately below it. To the left of the lady’s head is a testimonial. Crossing the ladies’ knees is a pale blue banner with the title in script extending over the top and bottom of the banner.
The title is a metaphor for Nell, for she is an April Lady in romance and growth.
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