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Abigail Wendover, "on the shelf,"' at 28 is determined to prevent Fanny, her pretty and high-spirited niece, from becoming attached to Stacy Calverleigh, a good-looking town-beau and an acknowledged fortune-hunter of shocking reputation. Miles Calverleigh, the black sheep of his family is... read more

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Summary edit see section history

Set in Bath and centers around two main characters: Miss Abigail Wendover and Mr Miles Caverleigh. When attempting to enlist Miles' help in preventing a clandestine marriage between his nephew, Stacy, and her niece, Fanny, Abigail finds herself attracted to the black sheep of the Caverleigh... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Set in Bath and centers around two main characters: Miss Abigail Wendover and Mr Miles Caverleigh. When attempting to enlist Miles' help in preventing a clandestine marriage between his nephew, Stacy, and her niece, Fanny, Abigail finds herself attracted to the black sheep of the Caverleigh family. After rejecting Miles' first proposal, following a series of twists and turns, Abigail is finally swept off her feet when Miles abducts her and the novel ends with the two on their way to get married.

Characters edit see section history

  • Abigail Wendover: Also known as "Miss Abby." she is the youngestr member of the Wendover family. She is eight-and-twenty.
  • Miles Calverleigh: The Black Sheep of his family, his is also Stacey Calverleigh's uncle. He is "a tall, loose-limbed man, considerably older than <Abby>..., with harsh features in a lined face, a deplorably sallow skin, and not the smallest air of fashion." He has been in India.
  • Fanny Wendover: Orphaned niece of the Misses Wendovers. She is seventeen.
  • Selina Wendover: The eldest of the of the Wendover siblings. She is two-and-forty.
  • Stacy Calverleigh: The Misses Wendovers are warned against Mr Calverleigh. He is thought to be a fortune hunter owning an estate in Bershire, which in encumbered by the debts of his distinguished but profligate family.
  • Oliver Grayshott: Lavina's brother. Oliver was last heard of in Calcutta and his mother lives in daily expectation that he is on his way home. He is two-and-twenty.
  • Lavinia Grayshott: Fanny's "chief crony"
  • Lady Weaverham: An amiable and shatterbrained resident of Bath. She has two daughters and invites Fanny Wendover to functions
  • Joshua Weaverham: As described by Abby, "Sir Joshua is Lady Weaverham's husband.... They are very kind, worthy people, and althought are not - not the pink of gentility, they are generally well-liked.... Sir Joshua certainly was engaged in Trade, until he retired - they make no secret of that - but - but in a perfectly respectable way!"
  • James Wendover: Only surviving son of the Wendover siblings. Official guardian of his niece, Fanny.
  • Mrs Winkworth: Mrs Clapham's companion
  • George Brede: George is married to Mary , one of Abby's sisters
  • Mary Brede: Mary is a sister of Abby and Selina Wendover.
  • Mrs Ruscombe: Described by Selina, "that odious woman who is Cornelia's bosom-piece... a backbiting creature"
  • Mrs Clapham: A young wealthy widow
  • Cornelia Wendover: Married to James Wendover, Mrs. Wendover has two daughters about Fanny's age and is not enthusiastic about helping to bring Fanny out.
  • Mr Dunston: An admirer of Abby's. Abby sometimes considers marrying him as she likes him and would stay near Selina. Abby hopes however for a marriage with stronger passion.
  • Mitton: Wendover family Butler "grown old in the service of the family"
  • Mrs Grimston: The one-time nurse for the three younger daughters of the Wendover household, she is now Miss Abbey's attendant/companion. Mrs. Grimston and Mitton, both having served the family for decades, are in a constant struggle for position.
  • Lady Chesham (Jane): One of the Wendover siblings, married to a man i n Huntingdonshire.
  • Dr Rowton: A physician who has treated Fanny whenever she is ill.
  • Mrs Ancrum: A matron living in Bath.
  • Rowland Wendover: Eldest of the Wendover siblings, deceased. Father of Fanny.
  • Celia Wendover: Fanny's mother, deceased.
  • Betty: Fanny's maid
Show all 25 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “Well, you have the right to make a sacrifice of yourself, but I'll be damned if I'll let you sacrifice me!”
    Miles Calverleigh
  • “My dear girl, you don't consent to an abduction! You consent to an elopement, and I knew you wouldn't do that.”
    Miles Calverleigh
  • “Has no one ever told you that it is the height of impropriety to kiss any gentleman, unless you have the intention of accompanying him immediately to the altar?”
    Miles Calverleigh
  • “If you imagine that I have the smallest desire to receive your hand as a reward for having performed a difficult task to your satisfaction you're beside the bridge, my child! I've no fancy for a reluctant wife. I want your love, not your gratitude.”
    Miles Calverleigh
  • Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers
  • Half a loaf was better than no bread:
    Highlighted by 11 Kindle customers
  • ‘No, did she? I envy him. Not, of course, that I’ve the smallest desire that Fanny should bestow such a look upon me, but I wish that you would.’
    Highlighted by 6 Kindle customers
  • ‘I love you, you know,’ he said conversationally. ‘Will you marry me?’
    Highlighted by 6 Kindle customers
  • ‘No, I assure you! Nothing derogatory! Charming girls, all of them! Only I don’t want to kiss them!’
    Highlighted by 5 Kindle customers
  • ‘My dear girl, you don’t consent to an abduction! You consent to an elopement, and I knew you wouldn’t do that.’
    Highlighted by 4 Kindle customers
  • ‘No, no!’ he said. ‘This isn’t an elopement! I’m abducting you!’
    Highlighted by 4 Kindle customers
  • Before she could recover herself she was in his arms, being kissed with considerable violence. ‘My bright, particular star!’ uttered Mr Calverleigh, into her ear.
    Highlighted by 4 Kindle customers
  • She thought, in touching innocence, that in Miles Calverleigh she had found a friend, and a better one by far than any other, because his mind moved swiftly, because he could make her laugh even when she was out of charity with him, and because of a dozen other attributes which were quite frivolous – hardly attributes at all, in fact – but which added up to a charming total, outweighing the more important faults in his character.
    Highlighted by 3 Kindle customers
  • ‘What a good thing you’ve warned me not to do so!’ responded Miles sardonically. ‘Entertaining females with accounts of jug-bitten maunderings is one of my favourite pastimes.’
    Highlighted by 3 Kindle customers
  • ‘My pretty innocent,’ he said, in a voice of kindness spiced with mockery, ‘did no one ever tell you that I am the man who ran off with your Fanny’s mother?’
    Highlighted by 3 Kindle customers
Show all 14 quotes from this book

Setting & Locations edit see section history

First Sentence edit see section history

A little before eight o'clock, at the close of a damp autumn day, a post-chaise entered Bath, on the London road, and presently drew up outside a house in Sydney Place.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 31 of 34 in Georgette Heyer Regency Romances in Order of Release Date. (community list)

Preceded by Frederica, and followed by Cousin Kate.

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

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Georgette Heyer (Author)

Other Contributors:

  1. Barbara Leigh-Hunt (Foreword)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Bodley Head
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1966
ISBN: 9780370006147
Page Count: 256

Classification edit see section history

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

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Adults

Appropriate for young adults with advance reading skills. Content similar to Jane Austin.


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