Cotillion

by Georgette Heyer

[jamiereadthis]

Now I get why anybody who talks about Georgette Heyer says, “Freddy!” FREDDY! Between Freddy and Dolphinton and Fish and Meg and of course Kit, how this hasn’t been made and remade into a dozen movies by now I have no idea.

“You don’t mean it?” exclaimed Freddy, much struck. “Of course he ain’t a lunatic! Got no brains, that’s all. Well, I ain’t got any either, but you wouldn’t say I was a lunatic, would you?”

“No, and you have got brains, Freddy!” said Kitty indignantly.

Mr. Standen, already shaken by having his hand rubbed worshipfully against a lady’s cheek, goggled at her. “You think I’ve got brains?” he said, awed. “Not confusing me with Charlie?”

“Charlie!” uttered Miss Charing contemptuously. “I daresay he has book-learning, but you have— you have address, Freddy!”

“Well, by Jove!” said Mr. Standen, dazzled by this new vision of himself.