The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer

A DARING ESCAPE

Penelope Creed will do anything to avoid marrying her repulsive cousin. Dressed in boy’s clothing, she’s fleeing from London when she’s discovered by Sir Richard Wyndham, himself on the verge of the most momentous decision of his life.

AND A HEROIC RESCUE

When Sir Richard encounters the lovely young fugitive, he knows he can’t allow her to travel to the countryside all alone, so he offers himself as her protector. As it happens, at the very moment Sir Richard could use an escape of his own…(from the back of the book)

Title: The Corinthian, Author: Georgette Heyer, ISBN: 978-1-4022-1769-2, Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca, Format: Trade Paperback, $13.99, Source: Personal book collection, Rating: 4.5 Crowns

My thoughts:

Penelope Creed will not marry her fish-faced cousin. She has decided that she will make her way to her childhood friend who she believes will marry her. Escaping out the window, she unexpectedly lands in the arms of a Corinthian.

Sir Richard Wyndham is a true Corinthian who gives Beau Brummell a run for his money. Inebriated and in need of an escape from a forced marriage he discovers what he believes to be a young boy dangling from a sheet making his escape from a window. However, he soon discovers that Pen is no boy but a very intriguing woman and he is determined to aid her on her journey.

Throughout their journey they endure a carriage wreck, Pen befriends a thief, they discover a missing diamond necklace, and find that someone they know has been murdered.

Filled with wicked wit and delivered in a cunning style, The Corinthian has become my favorite Heyer novel. While Pen is a bit young and naïve, I found her to be endearing and quite entertaining. She was so eager to have an adventure that it became infectious. Richard was an amazingly portrayed Corinthian, he fit the bill right down to boxing at Gentleman Jacksons. Charming and sophisticated with just the right amount of rogue, Richard was a fun read. And I loved the way his character came off.

The only problem I had with this novel was that it ended way too soon. It truly was one of those novels I did not want to see end. Fans of Jane Austen will delight in Heyer’s Regeny romps.