Sprig Muslin (by Georgette Heyer)

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I have sufficient Georgette Heyer novels that I can re-read around ten to twelve each year, and then start over again when I’ve finished them. She is undoubtedly my favourite writer of historical romance fiction, with authentic backgrounds and excellent characterisation. One of her Regency era romances which I rate most highly is ‘Sprig Muslin’, which I last read in 2011.

Sir Gareth Ludlow is the hero of this book, and he’s a likeable person from the start. A Corinthian, which means he dresses well but without dandyism, he looks after his horses - which are excellent - and he generally has good manners. But Sir Gareth, a quiet kind of person, is also a man of tremendous integrity. We learn early in the book that the girl he loved was involved in a fatal accident some years earlier, and he’s never really looked at another woman since then.

However, he’s in his thirties, and knows that it’s his duty to get married and provide an heir. Since none of the society beauties attract him in more than a passing way, he decides to propose to an old friend, Lady Hester, who, at 29, is considered ‘on the shelf’. Hester lives with her father, her brother and sister-in-law and is seen as a bit of a drudge, expected to look after them, and also her various sisters’ children. She’s a classic ‘maiden aunt’, and pretty much resigned to her lot.

While everyone expects Hester to leap at this unexpected proposal, she becomes very agitated. She has been in love with Sir Gareth for some time, so doesn’t want to accept his esteem and liking. And she certainly doesn’t expect him to arrive at her family’s house with a young woman in tow - the very beautiful and rebellious Amanda.

The rest of Hester’s household assume the worst when they see Amanda, but Hester learns the truth: that she was running away from home, and rescued by Sir Gareth. Amanda is in love with a soldier, but her grandfather won’t allow her to marry him, and she wants to force his hand. She’s only seventeen, and decidedly innocent and ignorant, unaware of the dangers that can befall a young, beautiful and unprotected young woman.

Amanda is the ‘Sprig Muslin’ of the title, and much of the storyline is about her exploits, and Sir Gareth’s attempts to rescue her. There’s a lot of humour in the book - Amanda has a very fertile imagination and thinks nothing of lying in ingenious ways to those she comes across, in order to get her own way. But she also has a lot of courage - she’s quite spoilt, but I found myself liking her quite a bit by the end.

Hester is far from a classic heroine - she has a sense of humour, as do most of Heyer’s leading ladies, but she’s not beautiful, or young, or even particularly strong-minded.  I liked her very much. Her part in the story is somewhat minor, until towards the end.

I had recalled the general outline of the story, but forgotten all the detail - in particular the part involving a young man called Hildebrand - and thoroughly enjoyed re-reading it yet again.

Very highly recommended to anyone who likes this genre of historical romance.

Review copyright 2020 Sue's Book Reviews