All hail the queen of the Regency romance, whose glorious romps demand. 'I said it because it was true.The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer – swash and swoon. 'But p-perhaps you said that to p-put me at my ease?' 'It is very odd of you,' marvelled Horatia. 'If you f-feel you c-can't bear it, sir, I shall quite understand,' Horatia said in a small, anxious voice. 'Yes, I had noticed,' the Earl said gently. 'It is a great trial to me, I can assure you.' She took a breath, and added, with difficulty: 'You m-may have n-noticed that I have a-a stammer.' 'D-do you think so?' Horatia was surprised.

'It would certainly be a pity if you did,' said his lordship. And I ought to t-tell you that we have quite given up hope of my g-growing any taller.' She said sadly: 'They won't arch, you know. The smile lurked at the back of Rule's eyes. 'And p-perhaps you could become used to my eyebrows?' Horatia seemed determined to make a clean breast of her blemishes. 'Undoubtedly, you have the Nose,' he said. 'It c-can't signify to you, can it? Except that I know I'm not a Beauty, like L-Lizzie. 'If you f-feel you c-can't bear it, sir, I shall quite understand,' Horatia said in a small, anxious voice.

'Yes, I had noticed,' the Earl answered gently. 'It is a great trial to me, I can assure you.' She took a breath, and added, with difficulty: 'You m-may have n-noticed that I have a - a stammer.' 'D-do you think so?' Horatia was surprised. 'It would certainly be a pity if you did,' said his lordship. And I ought to't-tell you that we have quite given up hope of my g-growing any taller.' She said sadly: 'They won't arch, you know. 'And p-perhaps you could become used to my eyebrows?' 'Undoubtedly, you have the Nose,' he said. 'It c-can't signify to you, can it? Except that I know I'm not a Beauty, like L-Lizzie. The Viscount surveyed the supper-table with a knowing eye. 'I wish you'd go home,' said Lethbridge wearily. 'What's to stop people coming in and hitting you over the head? It's preposterous.' 'You shouldn't keep the front door open,' said the Viscount.

'With a poker was it? Pray ask her, though I doubt if she will tell you.'

Lethbridge gingerly felt his bruised scalp. 'What I want to know is why did Horry hit you on the head with a poker?' 'Well I wish you'd put your wig on,' complained the Viscount. Let me assure you once more that I am very much alive.' His eyes ran over his self invited guest. Lethbridge still holding a hand to his aching head tried to pull himself together. 'Horry said she killed you, Pom said So she might, I said No. He wandered over to the table and sat down. Lethbridge passed his hand across his eyes.