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Cotillion
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Cotillion (1953) (edit title/settings)

by Georgette Heyer (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

Young Kitty Charing stands to inherit a vast fortune from her irascible great-uncle Matthew--provided she marries one of her cousins. Kitty is not wholly adverse to the plan, if the right nephew proposes. Unfortunately, Kitty has set her heart on Jack Westruther, a confirmed rake, who... read more

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Summary edit see section history

Heroine Kitty Charing has been brought up in rural isolation by her rich and eccentric guardian, Matthew Penicuik, whom she calls Uncle Matthew. Uncle Matthew makes the whimsical decision to name Kitty as his heiress, but only if she marries one of his extensive collection of great-nephews,... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Heroine Kitty Charing has been brought up in rural isolation by her rich and eccentric guardian, Matthew Penicuik, whom she calls Uncle Matthew. Uncle Matthew makes the whimsical decision to name Kitty as his heiress, but only if she marries one of his extensive collection of great-nephews, the offspring of his assorted and much-loathed sisters.

Uncle Matthew expects that Kitty will marry Jack Westruther, his favourite great-nephew, and Kitty would be only too happy to comply: she has adored Jack for years. But Jack, while he intends someday to wed Kitty (believing that Uncle Matthew's money must be willed either to her or to him), prefers to lead a rakish lifestyle as long as possible. Confident that Kitty will not accept any of his cousins, Jack declines to attend the family party at which Uncle Matthew intends for his great-nephews to propose to Kitty.

Kitty, greatly upset by the absence of Jack and by the possibility of becoming destitute should she not accept one of the great-nephews, is further dismayed by the proposals she receives. First, there is doltish Lord Dolphinton ("Dolph"), an impoverished Irish peer under his mother's thumb. Dolph is clearly proposing because his mother wants Uncle Matthew's money. Then there is Reverend Hugh Rattray, who assures Kitty that he is very fond of her, and that she will make a very suitable wife when her youthful levity has been tempered, for he pities the fact she is a destitute orphan, to her scorn.

When another great-nephew arrives, Kitty hails him with relief. Freddy Standen is rich, good-natured, unaware of Uncle Matthew's intentions, and has no intention of marrying. Nevertheless, Kitty begs him to propose to her and invite her to London to reintroduce her to his parents, whom she has not seen for some time. She assures Freddy that once she has visited London for a month, she will break off the engagement and live quietly thereafter. When she threatens to cry, Freddy is too mortified to do anything but agree. She does not tell Freddy that she really hopes to make Jack jealous and force him to propose to her. Freddy suspects she has something up her sleeve but does not know what.

Uncle Matthew, unconvinced by the announced engagement, guesses exactly what Kitty is up to; since it falls in with his own wishes, he allows Kitty to go to London. At the same time, he assures her that he will not tolerate being left for more than a month with "that Fish"—Miss Fishguard, Kitty's governess, who will stand in as housekeeper during Kitty's absence.

The complications that ensue are reflected in the title: a cotillion was originally a dance for four couples.

Characters edit see section history

  • Freddy Standen: Kitty's cousin who pretends to be engaged to Kitty Charing, he is a trend setter and has a real eye for clothes, and is an accomplished dancer
  • Kitty Charing: Orphaned, and adopted by Matthew Penicuik. She will inherit his fortune only if she marries one of his Great-Nephews. She becomes engaged to Freddy Staden to make Jack Westruther jealous.
  • Lord Foster Dolphinton: Another of Kitty's cousins; Is slow of mind, and an Earl. His mother forces him to offer for Kitty's hand over and over.
  • Lady Meg Buckhaven: Freddy's sister, she befriends Kitty, and has Kitty stay with her while her husband is in China.
  • Jack Westruther: A confirmed rake; another of Kitty's cousins.
  • Reverend Hugh Rattray: Another of Kitty's cousins; rather stuffy.
  • Olivia Broughty: The object of Jack Westruther's dishonorable intentions and a friend of Kitty's.
  • Lord George Biddenden: Another of Kitty's cousins, but married and so ineligible to offer for her.
  • Chevalier Camille D'Evron: Kitty's relative on her French mother's side; a professional gambler.
  • Uncle Matthew Penicuik: Kitty's rich and eccentric guardian.
  • Lady Dolphinton: Lord Dolphinton's controlling mother.
  • Hannah Plymstock: The object of Foster Dolphinton's affections, but she is from a lower class than him.
  • Claud: Another of Kitty's cousins, currently in the military and unavailable to offer for her.
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First Sentence edit see section history

The Saloon, like every other room in Arnside House, was large and lofty, and had been furnished, possibly some twenty years earlier, in what had then been the first style of elegance.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 19 of 34 in Georgette Heyer Regency Romances in Order of Release Date. (community list)

Preceded by The Quiet Gentleman , and followed by The Toll-Gate.

This book is in Georgette Heyer Regency Romances. (community list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Georgette Heyer (Author)

Other Contributors:

  1. Izolda Xaindrava (Foreword)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Putnam
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1953
ISBN: 9781402210082
Page Count: 336

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: PZ3.H514 Cot PR6015.E795
  • Dewey: 823.912

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Adults

Georgette Heyer books contain no material inappropriate for readers of any age. Heyer does use a good deal of period slang, and so readers should have the ability and patience to determine meaning from context.

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