Bath Tangle
 First edition | |
| Author | Georgette Heyer |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Arthur Barbosa[1] |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Regency, Romance novel |
| Publisher | William Heinemann |
Publication date | 1955 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 320 pp |
Bath Tangle is a Regency romance novel by Georgette Heyer. The story is set in 1816.[2]
Plot summary
After the death of the Earl of Spenborough all are shocked when they discover that the late Earl has appointed Ivo Barrasford, Marquis of Rotherham, and formerly engaged to Lady Serena Carlow to be Serena's guardian. Though Lady Serena may rage against it, there is no way out and therefore Serena moves to Bath with her stepmother where she meets up with her old love from six years past. They rekindle their romance and become engaged. Rotherham, when he hears of the engagement, proposes to a girl who is only after his title. When he sees his ward and her chosen, he realizes that they had all made a mistake and tries to make his betrothed cry off. However, when he had thought he had succeeded, Serena stepped in and ruined all his plans. A row between guardian and ward ensued with Rotherham storming off to make sure that his engagement over. Eventually he reveals to Serena that he loves her and she admits that she loves him too. Her betrothed enters just as she is in Rotherham's arms, but is not bothered as he has by now fallen in love with Serena's stepmother. The story ends happily with everyone ending up with people suited to them.
Characters
Lady Serena Carlow - the heroine, 25, daughter of the 5th earl of Spenborough
Ivo Spencer Barrasford, Marquis of Rotherham - former fiancé of Lady Serena, appointed her trustee upon the death of her father until her marriage by his consent, Late 30s, wears breeches, top boots and Belcher neckties
Lady Fanny Carlow, Dowager Countess of Spenborough, widow of the 5th earl, Serena's stepmother and friend, 23
Lord Hartley, 6th Earl of Spenborough, cousin of the 5th earl, his country seat is Milverly
Major Hector Kirkby - a suitor of Serena's rejected by the earl when he was a Captain
Emily Laleham - a debutante
Lady Laleham - a social climber trying to dissociate herself from her mercantile past
Mrs Floore - Lady Laleham's mother, widow of Mr Sebden, a gentleman, and Mr Ned Floore, a soap maker
Mr Goring - a merchant's son educated at Rugby and Cambridge
Gerard Monksleigh - one of Lord Rotherham's wards, a child of a cousin
Lady Theresa Eaglesham - Serena's aunt