The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer

My second trip into Heyer-world, and it certainly won't be my last. This was such fun. Although set in Regency times as the last one I read, it was a very different story. The first Heyer I read had an evil character who had to be uncovered and defeated, and mystery and adventure to be resolved by the hero, who then had to win the heroine. This story has a different angle and centres around the heroine, the 'dear little soul' Sophy, as her father puts it when he is persuading his sister to look after her while he's away. The 'little soul' arrives to stay with the Rivenhalls, her relatives, along with horses, dogs and a monkey for her nieces and nephews. She is 5'9" in her stockinged feet (as the heroine in the last book I read - I assume this was Heyer's height?) and storms into their lives, enlivening the family and infuriating Charles, the eldest son. Despite his father still being alive, Charles is head of the family; his father had run up terrible debts through gaming and women, and Charles used an inheritance to put the family on its feet again and is constantly struggling to keep things under control. Protecting and worrying about his family makes him sterner than he would otherwise be. He and Sophy clash at once: she drives his horses without permission after he arrogantly says a woman would not be able to handle them (which causes him fury but also admiration), arranges a huge party at his house but then refuses to let him pay for it, and generally clashes against him at every point. He is about to marry Miss Wraxton, an uptight woman from a good family with a holier than thou attitude, who evidently doesn't particularly love him and is disliked by all. Hmm - can you guess where this is going? It doesn't matter that the plot is obvious, as it's great fun getting there and Sophy is a wonderful character - to read, at least. I have a feeling she would be exhausting in person. The book contains lots of convincing historical detail about eighteenth century life; for instance, Sophy runs into Princess Lieven in the park one day, whose letters I am part-way through, but is warned from being too friendly with her by Charles' prim fiancee. This book is great for one of those days when you want to lose yourself in a read; I couldn't put it down. It is amusing, exciting, well written, and romantic without moving into slush territory. A wonderful read.