April Lady

infobox Book |
name = April Lady
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author = Georgette Heyer
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series =
genre = Regency, Romance
publisher = William Heinemann
release_date = 1957
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 268 pp
isbn = NA
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"April Lady" is a Regency novel by Georgette Heyer. It is in many respects a classic example of her work; light, with some drama and delicately-handled romance. Heyer provides the perspective of two main characters throughout the book.

Plot summary

"April Lady" is the story of Nell Cardross, the young, beautiful wife of the Earl of Cardross. She is of a "good family", one that is accepted by high society, but nonetheless her father and brother spend freely and the family is known to be impoverished. Cardross, on the other hand, is significantly older and has been out in society for some time; rich and handsome, he could have his pick of the season's débutantes. He falls for Nell on sight, and in spite of the warnings of his friends who are concerned about the gambling habits of her family, he proposes to her at once.

Nell's mother has "more hair than wit": she tells Nell that Cardross wants an heir and wishes to marry into a good family, and that Nell must be a conformable wife and not trouble Cardross. Consequently Nell, who fell for her husband in the same instant he fell for her, keeps him at arm's length until he starts to doubt her appeal.

The couple dance at this misunderstanding for many months, ably assisted by Cardross' sister, her fiancé Jeremy, Nell's brother Dysart, and Cardross' cousin Felix. Naturally, the resolution is happy.