Reading the Alphabet: F is for Faro’s Daughter

Who’s ready for hijinks and shenanigans? That’s right – it’s Heyer time! Sadly, I’d never even heard of Georgette Heyer until late in 2019, when a friend picked The Grand Sophy for our book club. Naturally, I was an easy convert, and I’ve been happily working my way through Heyer’s bibliography every since. Georgette Heyer, of course, is the queen of madcap comedy, so it’s no surprise when hilarious mix-ups and entanglements ensue, but Faro’s Daughter combines some of her best ingredients: bright, headstrong leads, a large cast of colorful characters, and many zany schemes. Perhaps best of all, the entire plot and conflict is driven by a fierce battle of wits between our sparring lovers.

The story begins when wealthy Mr. Ravenscar discovers his young cousin, Lord Mablethorpe, has fallen for and means to marry Miss Deborah Grantham, who presides over her aunt’s (Lady Bellingham) gaming house. Acting in what he believes to be Mablethorpe’s best interest, Ravenscar seeks Deborah out and attempts to buy his cousin’s freedom. Unfortunately for him, he’s completely miscalculated. While Deborah is fond of Mablethorpe, she’s well aware that his is no more than a passing puppy love, and she has no intention of marrying him. But she has her pride and a temper to match, and when Ravenscar accuses her of being an adventuress and a harpy, she can’t resist the urge to teach him a lesson by pretending to be just as bad as he believes her to be – and worse. What follows is an increasingly hilarious game of one-upmanship, which quickly enough turns into a delightfully twisted form of flirtation.

I think what sets Faro’s Daughter apart for me is the dynamic between the leads. Deborah and Ravenscar are well-matched in wits and in temper, and one can’t help but sense that, as good as they are as opponents, they might be even more powerful as allies. Neither is perfect: Ravenscar is arrogant and prejudiced, and Deb prone to rash behavior, especially where her pride is concerned. But both are intelligent and cunning, ready and willing to use whatever power they command to protect their loved ones. They’re both generally cool-headed and good-humored, if not exactly malleable to the whims of others. In fact, their tempers really only seem to be riled by each other, which gives the clue to their underlying (and utterly denied) passion before anything else does. Once past their animosity, I feel like they’ll be good for each other, with Ravenscar tempering Deb’s fiery temper (not too much but just enough to keep her out of trouble) and Deb’s liveliness softening his aloof manner. Enemies-to-lovers isn’t a favorite trope of mine, but this? This is the trope done right.

Then, of course, you also have a supporting cast that’s a hoot – another of Heyer’s strengths. Between fretful and interfering relatives and “helpful” friends, Ravenscar and Deb have plenty to contend with in their ongoing war. I especially love Deborah’s boxer-turned-butler and staunch defender, Silas Wantage, who wants nothing more than to go a few rounds with Ravenscar – not because he dislikes him but because he can tell from his look that Ravenscar will give a good fight! Her poor aunt’s constant panic over whatever mad plan Deb will cook up next is also vastly entertaining.

“He waved his whip, and rode on; Mr. Ravenscar, very white about the mouth, drove straight to St. James’s Square. Arrived at Lady Bellingham’s house, he thrust the reins into his groom’s hands, said curtly: ‘Keep them moving!’ jumped down from the box, and strode up the steps to Lady Bellingham’s door.

It was opened to him by Silas Wantage, who grinned, and said: “It’s wonderful, so it is, the way you do keep coming to the house, sir, as though there hadn’t never been what you might call unpleasantness!” – Faro’s Daughter

So you see, Faro’s Daughter has all my favorite Heyer ingredients: her signature comedic touch (complete with madcap shenanigans), strong, likable leads, and colorful supporting characters. It also has some of her best pacing. Much as I love Heyer, she often takes her time working up to the main action of the book, but with Faro’s Daughter, she jumps right in. So if you haven’t read any Heyer before and want to give her a try, this might be a good one to start and help you decide if she’s for you. Having grown up on Hollywood’s 1930s screwball comedies, she is certainly for me, and I hope you’ll enjoy her as much as I do!

–b