The Convenient Marriage

The Convenient Marriage (1934) Georgette Heyer

The Earl of Rule has decided to finally get married. As he’s not particular about who he marries, he decides to request the hand of Elizabeth Winwood. Unfortunately, Elizabeth is in love with someone else, so her younger sister Horatia decides that Elizabeth should not have to make the sacrifice for the family (the brother has thrown the family into debt, and the father is no better) so Horry decides that if the Earl of Rule doesn’t particularly care who he marries, than it should best be her, since Lizzy is in love.

I went back and forth between liking and then disliking and then again liking the characters in this story. Because of her pluck at the start of the story, I tended to forget precisely how young and immature Horry actually was, which meant I got annoyed with her when she did really stupid things. But then I’d remember, and go back to liking her. Especially because the thing that might have concerned her most–her stutter–seemed to bother her not at all.

And of course, there are lots of entertaining–although wildly improbably–parts of the story, including duels, kidnapping, highway men and other ridiculousness.

So it’s fun, but much more far-fetched than the other books I’ve read by Georgette Heyer. I’m rather glad I didn’t read this first, because although I enjoyed it, I didn’t find it nearly as good as some of her other stories.

Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Rating: 7/10

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