The Quiet Gentleman (Regency Romances, 11) Paperback – June 1, 2011

I have had problems liking this story. I hate the opening paragraph which talks about the estate. It set my expectations of like the story very low and then I made the mistake of listening to the audible book. I hated the narrator's voicing of the female characters. He should only narrate books with male characters. That said - I just finished another read through of the book because I was desperate for a new Georgette Heyer novel and since I have read and re-read them all, that is futile. And there just are not any modern writers who can come close.So, I made the commitment to A Quiet Gentleman, bought the book and began to read with the goal of just listening to the characters in my mind. It worked. I finally heard the humor, the dry wit, the subtle humor, and understood the attraction of the very handsome Earl of St. Erth to the very ordinary but very lovable Miss Morville. She is presented as a wallflower and she almost disappears into the background at first. Over the course of the story, the reader becomes aware of her as she becomes essential to St. Erth's existence. Literally. She saves his life after one near miss of an unknown assailant who clearly means to take the life of the new Earl.So, we get a mystery and a romance at the same time. As well as a red herring in the form of the delightful Miss Marianne Bolderwood who we are supposed to believe as the intended heroine of the story. She does play her part but not as first presented. Georgette Heyer is usually not so straightforward.I enjoyed this story, at last, because there were several twists in the telling. As well as an expanding cast of characters that sometimes challenged me to pay attention as they were introduced and then sometimes faded to the background as the story unfolded. There is humor, some violence, never graphic and never shocking and very appropriate to the times, and there is a reminder of how people fell in love just as they do today. The difference between then and now is that there were rules to follow depending on the class you inhabited. You broke those rules at your peril and young ladies did worry about appearing "too fast".This story probably will not please readers of modern romance writers who expect graphic descriptions of love making by the second chapter of the story if not sooner. But, as someone who enjoys history with some romance on the side, Georgette Heyer is still my favorite writer when I want more than just fluff and sex.

I really like how Georgia Heyer does not feel compelled, as many other authors of romance do, to have her heroines be beautiful. In other words, it’s refreshing to see the average, less than stunning girl get the guy! The Mystery, while not Agatha Christie level, was entertaining. And while the romance was subtle, it was satisfying. I found myself actually picturing Lucy Scott, who played Charlotte Lucas in pride and prejudice BBC version, in the role of Miss Morville, the quiet, practical sensible but not unattractive young woman. Very enjoyable

The mystery kept me wondering as I enjoyed the characters.Gervace Frant returns from war to the mismatched castle and estate of Stanyon where he hasn't felt welcome for years. Now he is returning as the new Earl to take control of the estate. His younger half-brother, Martin, is the son who has been doted on and treated as if he would become the Lord of the manor. Someone is so unhappy about the new Earl that he begins to suffer accidents. At first they seem almost like careless pranks that might cause some small harm but when the Earl is shot it is clear that someone really does mean to remove him.Martin is a hot head with a short temper. He doesn't like his elder brother whom he barely remembers. His antagonism increases when Gervace begins to pay attention to the local beauty, Marianne, interfering with Martin's courtship attempts. One of Gervace's good friends from the service visits and he too shows interest in Marianne.Other members of the household include Martin's mother, the Dowager, who only sees perfection in Martin and views Gervace as a threat to her son's happiness. At least Gervace finds one friend at home in his cousin, Theo, who has been his man of business watching over his affairs. There is also Miss Morville, a neighbor young lady who serves as a sensible, and seemingly unremarkable, temporary companion to the Dowager.Marianne is the sweet beauty who attracts the men. The estimable Miss Morville, Drusilla, manages the household and handles all circumstances from planning a ball to taking charge when the Earl arrives with a gunshot wound. Drusilla clearly likes the Earl and is concerned for his welfare but she has no expectation that he would be interested in her.There are red herrings that blur the search for the person attempting to murder Gervace. This kept me interested to see if I was guessing the villain and motive correctly. I did guess about midway into the story but the confirmation didn't come until near the end.The story focuses on the different society positions, the behavioral expectations and the jealousies existing among the characters. The romance is merely light flirtations. I enjoyed the subtle satire, sarcasms and gentle humor. The writing tone, detail and characterizations fit the time period to perfection. There is a certain propriety and elegance to be found in Heyer's writing and characters. If you enjoy an old-fashioned romance, with no sexual content but plenty of character, you would like this story and this author.

This book is one of my many favorites. She takes you into the world of noble England two hundred years ago. Such fun.