The Foundling

The Foundling

by Georgette Heyer

Edition: Paperback, 1977

Synopsis: The Duke of Sale is out to prove himself

The shy, young Duke of Sale has never known his parents. Instead, his Grace Adolphus Gillespie Vernon Ware, Gilly for short, has endured twenty-four years of rigorous mollycoddling from his uncle and valet. But his natural diffidence conceals a rebellious spirit.

A mysterious beauty provides the perfect opportunity

When Gilly hears of Belinda, the beautiful foundling who appears to be blackmailing his cousin, he absconds with glee. But he has no sooner entered this new and dangerous world than he is plunged into a frenzy of intrigue, kidnapping, adventure, and surprises at every turn.

This has to be one of my favorite books written by Georgette Heyer, the writer who established the historical romance genre.  Gilly (a much easier nickname to remember him than “Adolphus Gillepsie Vernon Ware”) is such a likeable character, a young man who wants to just wants to be a nobody from "Nowhere in Particular". He lives with his uncle, Lord Lionel. Lord Lionel and his team of servants baby the Duke and treat him like a child. He is also informed that he is expected to propose to and marry a young woman named Harriet, who he respects but isn’t sure that he loves.

The chance to prove to himself that he can take care of himself comes when he learns his cousin Matthew is in a fix. To help his cousin, Gilly sets off on his own and takes on his cousin's identity. He meets the beautiful Belinda, who caes about gaining a diamond ring, a purple dress, and finding her true love.

This whole book is just fun to read. While Gilly is the main story, we also read of his uncle’s frantic search to find him. Harriet is unsure of her feelings for her betrothed. And Gilly’s older cousin, Gideon, finds himself under suspicion of harming Gilly.

Georgette Heyer is a favorite author of mine. Her grasp of the era she wrote for, and the amount of research she put into it, really shines through her novels.

Five gold stars here!