Black Sheep (Heyer novel)

For the 2013 novel by Susan Hill, see Black Sheep (Hill novel). For the 1842 novel by Balzac, see The Black Sheep (novel).

Black Sheep is a Regency romance novel by Georgette Heyer which was first published in 1966. The story is set in 1816/1817.

Black Sheep

First edition
Author	Georgette Heyer
Cover artist	Arthur Barbosa
Language	English
Genre	Regency, Romance
Publisher	Bodley Head
Publication date	1966
Publication place	United Kingdom
Pages	336
OCLC	183179611
Dewey Decimal	823/.912 22
LC Class	PR6015.E795 B5 2008

Plot summary

The novel is set in Bath, Somerset and centres on two main characters: Miss Abigail Wendover and Mr Miles Calverleigh.

At the beginning of the novel, Abigail's niece Fanny claims to have formed a mutual "lasting attachment" with Stacy Calverleigh, to Abigail's dismay. Stacy is reputed to be a "gamester", a "loose fish", and a "gazetted fortune-hunter"—that is, he has a gambling habit, is a libertine, and is on the look-out for a wealthy marriage. Abigail enlists the assistance of Stacy's uncle, Miles Calverleigh, to prevent a clandestine marriage between Stacy and Fanny. Miles is the black sheep of the Calverleigh family, but Abigail finds herself attracted to his wit and unconventionality. However, Abigail tries to keep her attraction for Miles under wraps, out of concern for expected disapproval from her brother (who would try to curtail her ability to have her own household if he knew) and her chaperoning older sister.