I think what I love most about Georgette Heyer's novels is the knowledge that in the end everything is going to work out for the best. No matter how villainous the villains may be, no matter how topsy turvy the heroine's path to love or fulfillment Georgette Heyer's world is one that comes with a happy ending. Life may not always be filled with happy endings, but there's really something to be said for being able to find them in literature when you need them most. I think a criticism that has been leveled against Heyer's novels is their sameness. I expect some of them may well be formulaic, but it seems from the variety I have read each has actually had its own very distinct and unique storyline. The Foundling is a good example.
The Foundling is really quite different than the usual Heyer Regency fare. It's more of a coming of age story and a story of deep friendship between two close cousins. There is a romance at the core of the story, how could there not be with a Heyer, but it is secondary to the rest of the action. This is much more an adventure tale and a romp with the hero getting caught in all sorts of scrapes and awkward situations. And he's a very likable young man. As a matter of fact nearly all the characters are likable, one or two in an exasperating way, even the villains.
Belinda is the foundling in this story and she's the impetus of all the action. As characters go, she's a silly young girl who wants only gold rings and other trinkets and especially a purple silk dress and is willing to go off with any handsome young man who is willing to provide such gifts. She's also drop dead gorgeous, though I'm afraid her head's on the empty side, filled only with lovely little gewgaws rather than anything of a practical nature. It's her "adopted uncle" Mr Liversedge who tries to look after her. Unfortunately he's as dishonest as the day is long. When a young man promises her marriage but later thinks better of it, Uncle Swithin will make sure she (and he, too) isn't left high and dry.
When Gilly, otherwise known as his Grace Adolphus Gillespie Vernon Ware, discovers that a young cousin has gotten himself into a mess over the lovely Belinda and is now being blackmailed for his indiscretions he believes this is just the adventure he has been longing for. Soon to come into a fortune, Gilly, is the only son of the late Duke of Sale. Raised by an uncle after the deaths of the parents he never knew in the most cautious and restrained of households Gilly feels oppressed and bored. Educated at home by a tutor for as a child he was so sickly, Gilly hates being a Duke. Everyone down to the servants handles him with kid gloves and cossets him. He yearns to know what its like to be anonymous--plain Mr Dash of Nowhere in Particular. Dealing with blackmailers is just what he needs to find out whether he's "a man or only a Duke".
Taking only his very good friend and cousin, Captain Ware, into his confidence he leaves behind all his royal trappings including his ring and calling cards--the only things to truly identify him--and sets out by common conveyance only to find life among the rabble is perhaps not as exciting as he thought. As a matter of fact he finds he's very much a "Johnny Raw". The story becomes a comedy of errors as his entourage begins to grow, first with a runaway schoolboy in tow and then Belinda. Both cause him more problems than he originally set out to fix. Although he slips through the clutches of blackmailers and kidnappers, his disappearance causes quite a stir. He gets himself into far more trouble than be bargained for especially with the help of his two young friends. When rumors begin flying amongst the ton that he's disappeared and perhaps has even been murdered, maybe even by his own cousin Gideon, who's in possession of the royal ring, Gideon sets out to put things aright.
Although I think I like Heyer's Regency romances a tad bit more, I really enjoyed this story of two close friends. Poor Gilly is undersized and not really of the countenance of a Duke, but he sets out to prove himself. Gideon is a nice foil and a humorous counterpart, but Gilly will show himself quite well as someone who really can manage his own affairs and will discover love in an unlikely corner. As always, this was a fun, light-hearted read. Although this came compliments of Sourcebooks, I have a pile of my own Heyer's on hand that mostly have come as recommendations from other readers including her mysteries, which I'm looking forward to picking up when the mood arises. Next up, though, is These Old Shades, which features a "red-headed urchin" who isn't all what he appears (yes, another story of a girl dressed as a boy). I'm already looking forward to it!