A Civil Contract

Bound by Duty and Desire

In A Civil Contract, Georgette Heyer moves beyond her signature Regency drawing rooms to explore the marriage of convenience between the pragmatic Viscount Lynton and the spirited Jenny Chawleigh. When Jenny’s family fortune propels her fiancé Edmund into the House of Lords, she willingly accepts the title of Viscountess—even though they barely know each other. As political storms gather in Westminster and society’s expectations weigh on their every action, Jenny discovers that love need not be born of fireworks and grand declarations; it can grow quietly, in shared glances across tea-strewn tables, and in the steadfast comfort of a partner who listens.

Whispers in the Library

Heyer’s trademark wit sparkles through every exchange, from the rustle of silk gowns in candlelit libraries to the hush of carriage wheels on moonlit gravel. Jenny’s unshakable optimism contrasts with Edmund’s measured restraint: she infuses their spacious townhouse with fresh flowers and laughter, while he navigates parliamentary intrigues and family solemnities. Their evenings unfold amid musty volumes and late-night debates, revealing hidden depths in both characters. As prospects of scandal and sorrow linger at the margins, Jenny’s courageous heart proves that sincerity can outshine even the most gilded reputation.

Love Written in Quiet Moments

At its heart, A Civil Contract celebrates the extraordinary within the ordinary. Heyer reminds us that true partnership is forged not in grand gestures but in daily acts of kindness—an encouraging word before dawn, the steady hand that steadies a trembling heart, the unspoken promise held firm through trials both personal and political. In the end, Jenny and Edmund find that their contract binds more than title and property: it unites two souls destined to grow together, step by gentle step.

. Georgette Heyer is the celebrated doyenne of historical romance, renowned for her elegant prose, impeccable period detail, and the timeless charm of her unforgettable heroines and heroes.