A Civil Contract

When Cornflower chose Georgette Heyer's A Civil Contract for her recent book group choice I was alternately glad (to have an excuse to read yet another Heyer novel) and slightly disconcerted.  I've been not only reading about Heyer but also have a small stack of her books that I've been slowly working my way through.  I do like to read multiple books by an author I admire, but usually not back to back.  I wondered if this might be a case of too much of a good thing?  I needn't have worried as it's actually turned out to be a matter of good timing.  Something just clicked with this book, and I now count it as my favorite Heyer novel.

I've read a handful of her books over the last few years.  Generally speaking they are good frothy fun.  In most instances the stories are a combination of comedy of manners and romance, and some have a dash of adventure or intrigue thrown in.  A Civil Contract takes a slightly different tack though.  It's less formulaic and more serious than  many of her other novels.  Usually a Heyer story revolves around a young couple getting together, but this time the story starts with a wedding.  While the hero is an attractive war veteran, the heroine is a rather plain young woman.  The two barely know each other let alone feel the stirrings of any romance.

When Adam Deveril is called home from the Peninsular War after the death of his father, he finds that the family estates have been badly mismanaged.  A charming and gregarious man, Adam's father had been living the high life, spending money with reckless abandon with few thoughts to familial responsibilities.  Not having expected to take on the title 'Viscount Lynton' so soon, Adam now finds himself in the predicament of having to not only provide for his mother and two younger sisters but to try and find a way to pay off the estate's many debts.

Given the period and the problem, doesn't the solution seem obvious?  Not to Adam as he prepares to sell off the family's London townhouse, his father's prize horses and anything else that can raise some capital.  In the end he may even need to take the extreme measure of selling off Fontley, the family seat in Lincolnshire.  The answer to his problems comes from an unlikely source.  Being a soldier, and now a penniless one at that, he's not betrothed, but he does have a love interest.  Or did.  He met lovely, young Julia Oversley at a party and was instantly smitten, and she with him.  It goes without saying that he can't consider marriage now.  Julia comes from a respectable, titled family, but one without the resources to help the Deverils. 

It's Lord Oversley, Julia's papa, who encourages Adam to marry a wealthy woman and enter into a marriage of convenience.  Adam views the suggestion with distate--sell his title to the wealthiest bidder?  But Lord Oversley even knows just the right young woman.  Jenny Chawleigh, a friend and former schoolmate of Julia's, is the daughter of a rich man of the merchant class.  While Mr. Chawleigh is brash and lacks refinement, his heart is in the right place.  He's raised his daughter to be a proper lady and has set his sights on raising her up into the aristocracy if he can.  And there's only one way he can achieve his desire.

Adam finally relents so his family needn't be reduced to living in undignified circumstances.  What follows is a story of two very different people coming together and learning how to succeed in their marriage even if they didn't marry for love.  It's made all the more difficult as Adam's passion for Julia still burns in his heart, and he's not as clever as he thinks.  As proper as he tries to appear, it's still painfully obvious to Jenny how deeply his feelings for his first love lie.  The story details Adam's and Jenny's first year or so of marriage and shows the young couple maturing and standing on their own two legs and discovering just what is really important in life.   

This is a lovely, gentle read that in the end is quite satisfying even though it doesn't begin on the happiest of terms.  As always Heyer's attention to historical fact is impeccable.  There is a generous use of Regency-era slang, which to be honest I've occasionally found to be a slight irritation in some of the other novels I've read.  I didn't find it to be cumbersome or distracting this time around, however; instead it added nicely to the atmosphere.  There's a lot to be said for a love story that's not based on impetuosity and infatuation, but one that builds slowly over time into perhaps not a burning passion but something comfortable and solid.  Domestic bliss really can rise out of the oddest arrangements.

Comments

[Teresa]

I happened to mooch this book from Bookmooch just because I was wanting to try some Heyer, and this was available. It looks like I picked a good one! I'm looking forward to seeing how I like it--although given the height of my TBR pile, it might take a while :)

[Danielle]

Teresa--I really enjoyed this one! It's nice just to have some of her books on hand to pick up when the mood strikes, as I know all about those TBR piles! :)

[Nicole]

I've read a few of the Heyer books and I think the one hat I have enjoyed the most so far is The Reluctant Widow. The others I have enjoyed but have been almost equally frustrated with as well. This one sounds as if it might be really good as well.

[Danielle]

Nicole--I've heard good things about The Reluctant Widow and have it on my pile! A Civil Contract was quite charming--a more serious tone, which I really liked.

[Litlove]

What a wonderful review! I must read this one. I love Heyer but have only read the fluffiest of her romances (because I like them!!, but I can see how good she would be with a bit more weight in her material.

[Cornflower]

Of the Heyer canon, I think we did well choosing this book, Danielle. A super read!

[iliana]

I've finally gotten to read a few Heyer books so she's been a great discovery for me. Although, I understand what you mean about not reading books back-to-back. I usually don't do that either but have found myself reading two of her mysteries back-to-back. They are quite fun though and so I'm liking them.

I'll have to add A Civil Contract to my Heyer must-read-list!

[Jaimie]

This story sounds lovely. I really like Heyer and the characters she creates. I will definitely be adding this one to the wishlist.

[Dorothy W.]

This DOES sound quite different from the typical romance! Well, I'm no expert on the genre, but to write about that kind of non-flashy love seems different. It sounds like a charming book, and I'm glad to hear you liked it so much.

[Danielle]

Litlove--She really did do fluffy romance well and I do love picking them up now and again, but this one was a bit weightier. Still very typical Heyer, but all done in a roundabout way.
Cornflower--It was a great choice! I think it was a good one to choose for those readers uncertain about Heyer. It was a nice balance of history and drama with a dash of romance. I'm glad you picked it!
Iliana--This is definitely one to add to your list. I must try one or two of her mysteries--maybe after I finish the mystery I'm working on at the moment. I do like to spread my books by one author out a bit, but sometimes it can be fun to compare!
Jaimie--Heyer did a good job with this one. Poor Jenny was so plain, but she was infinitely preferable (and likeable) over the swooning Julia! :)
Dorothy--Yes, this isn't typical romance--no swooning passionate embraces, but it really did work well. It was nice in a quiet way. It was set against the peninsular war and particularly the Battle of Waterloo, which was interesting (hearing about it as a news event so to speak) happening in the background. I have two more to read that Sourcebooks sent, but I think I'll wait a bit before jumping in to either of them.