The Quiet Gentleman (Heyer novel)

Cover of The Quiet Gentleman, paperback from 1951, Heinemann original edition.

The Quiet Gentleman is a novel by Georgette Heyer about an earl's firstborn son who became estranged from his father as a young boy, was reared by his maternal grandmother, and spent years serving in the military during the Napoleonic wars.

A year after the father passed away, and after the war's end, the son arrives to claim the ancient rambling castle of the earldom. His stepmother and her son, the hot-tempered teenage half-brother of the new earl, have spent their entire lives at the castle living as rulers-in-waiting, doubting that the firstborn son would survive the war. Also resident is a first cousin who manages the estate. The earl urges his relations to remain as before. The stepmother also has a houseguest, the well-born daughter of intellectuals, who makes no attempts to attract, gets along with the irascible stepmother, and deftly mediates certain household clashes.

The young earl is named Gervase Frant, Earl of St Erth. Martin Frant is the younger half-brother, and Theo Frant is the first cousin. Drusilla Morville is the houseguest. The following is an excerpt from one of the early conversations between Gervase and Drusilla:

'I conclude,' said Gervase, a good deal amused, 'that your Mama is of a practical disposition?'

'Oh, no!' replied Miss Morville serenely. 'That is why she did not wish to form one of the colony. She has no Turn for domestic duties: Mama is an Authoress. She has written several novels, and numerous articles and treatises...and she holds views, which are thought to be very advanced, on Female Education.'

'And have you been reared according to these views?' enquired Gervase, in some misgiving.

'No, for Mama has been so fully occupied in prescribing for the education of females in general that naturally she has had little time to spare for her own children. Moreover, she is a person of excellent sense, and, mortifying though it has been to her, she has not hesitated to acknowledge that neither I nor my elder brother is in the least bookish.'

'A blow!' commented the Earl.

'Yes, but she has sustained it with fortitude, and we have great hopes that my younger brother, who is now at Cambridge, will be distinguished. And after all, there must be someone in a household who does not dislike domestic management.'

'Is that your fate, Miss Morville?' the Earl asked, rather touched. 'Is your life spent in these rural fastnesses, performing a housekeeper's duties? I pity you!'

'Well, you need not,' returned Miss Morville unromantically. 'We are only to be found in Lincolnshire when Papa requires quiet for the performance of his labours. In general, we reside in London, so that Mama may enjoy the benefits of literary society.'

'Forgive me, ma'am, if I say this it sounds to me like a dead bore!'

'Oh, yes, to those who are not bookish, it is!' agreed Miss Morville. 'When in London, I spend much of my time in the company of my aunt, Lady Morville, and my cousins. Parties, and theatres, you know, for they are always very gay, and most good-natured in including me in their schemes. My aunt even undertook my presentation last year..."

The young nobleman has a suspicious riding accident, discovers a secret passage leading into his bedroom, and due to quick action on the part of the female guest, he survives being shot. The young lady assists the earl's valet in nursing the earl back to health. He sets up a trap to discover which of his cantankerous relations wants him dead. The young lady is alarmed by the earl's absence and has an accident. Her parents arrive, planning to take her home. Having discreetly resolved the temptation for one of his relatives to kill him, the young earl arrives back just in time to reveal his affection for the young lady and persuade her parents to let them marry.

First published in 1951, The Quiet Gentleman is one of Heyer's signature Regency romances that also includes mystery and suspense. It is estimated to take place in the spring of 1816 after the Battle of Waterloo. An ebook of this novel can be borrowed via OverDrive.

See other works by Georgette Heyer.