Lady of Quality (by Georgette Heyer)

(Amazon UK link)

I love the book 'Lady of Quality'. It's classic Georgette Heyer, with everything that makes her Regency novels so entertaining. I have read it several times, and enjoy it afresh each time. There's nothing very deep in any of the author's books, yet they are cleverly written, realistic, and tinged with humour.

Annis Wychwood is the heroine of this book. She is a beautiful and unmarried lady of nearly thirty, and she is on her way to Bath at the start of the story. She comes across a travelling carriage which has lost a wheel. So, naturally, she decides to see if she can help.

The occupants of the carriage, two young people called Lucy and Ninian, are arguing. Annis rescues Lucy and invites her to stay for a while. This leads to a visit from Lucy's guardian, the rude and overbearing Oliver Carleton.

There is some superb characterisation in this novel. There is also just the right amount of plot, some light humour and a most satisfactory conclusion.  Is it predictable? Yes of course, at least somewhat. It's obvious who will fall for whom from fairly early on.  But there are a few surprises, not all of which I remembered from before.

All in all I felt once again that this was an excellent book, and would recommend it highly.

(You can also read my longer review of 'Lady of Quality', written after re-reading seven years later)