"Stylish, romantic, sharp, and witty." ?Margaret Drabble A disgraced lord, a notorious highwayman Jack Carstares, the disgraced Earl of Wyndam, left England seven long years ago, sacrificing his honor for that of his brother when he was accused of cheating at cards. Now Jack is back, roaming his beloved South Country in the disguise of a highwayman. And the beauty who would steal his heart Not long after Jack's return, he encounters his old adversary, the libertine Duke of Andover, attempting the abduction of the beautiful Diana Beauleigh. At the point of Jack's sword, the duke is vanquished, but foiled once, the "Black Moth" has no intention of failing again? This is Georgette Heyer's first novel?a favorite of readers and a stirring tale to be enjoyed again and again. "A tale of love and adventure, clearness and charm, and an originality to delight?a tale to stir one's blood." BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT "A romance of the eighteenth century, with a wicked Duke, self-sacrificing elder brother, weak younger brother, highwayman, gambling, abduction, and rescue all complete." THE SATURDAY REVIEW "A well-filled story which keeps the reader pleased." THE TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT "Wonderful characters, elegant, witty writing, perfect period detail, and rapturously romantic. Georgette Heyer achieves what the rest of us only aspire to." KATIE FFORDE "Everyone is in love with dashing Jack Carstares!" ― HistoricalNovels.Info "Heyer builds suspense into the story that kept me reading... Pure fun. " ― Jenny Loves to Read "Richly detailed... The world depicted by Heyer was just fascinating." ― Becky’s Book Reviews "A distinctly witty and enchanting tale. " ― Rundpinne "A great story, set in a decadent time period. What more can you ask for in a great romance?" ― Debbie’s Book Bag "The Black Moth is a nice story, enjoyable in its own unseasoned, romantic way." ― A Book Blogger’s Dairy "Witty and cunning with sharp dialog that kept me entertained throughout." ― Book Junkie Jack Carstares, the disgraced Earl of Wyncham, left England seven years ago to save his family's honour. Now he is back, roaming his beloved south country in the disguise of a highwayman. Georgette Heyer's novels have charmed and delighted millions of readers for decades. English Heritage has awarded Georgette Heyer one of their prestigious Blue Plaques, designating her Wimbledon home as the residence of an important figure in British history. She was born in Wimbledon in August 1902. She wrote her first novel, The Black Moth, at the age of seventeen to amuse her convalescent brother; it was published in 1921 and became an instant success. Heyer published 56 books over the next 53 years, until her death from lung cancer in 1974. Her last book, My Lord John, was published posthumously in 1975. A very private woman, she rarely reached out to the public to discuss her works or personal life. Her work included Regency romances, mysteries and historical fiction. Known as the Queen of Regency romance, Heyer was legendary for her research, historical accuracy and her extraordinary plots and characterizations. She was married to George Ronald Rougier, a barrister, and they had one son, Richard. Prologue Clad in his customary black and silver, with raven hair unpowdered and elaborately dressed, diamonds on his fingers and in his cravat, Hugh Tracy Clare Belmanoir, Duke of Andover, sat at the escritoire in the library of his town house, writing. He wore no rouge on his face, the almost unnatural pallor of which seemed designedly enhanced by a patch set beneath his right eye. Brows and lashes were black, the former slanting slightly up at the corners, but his narrow, heavy-lidded eyes were green and strangely piercing. The thin lips curled a little, sneering, as one dead-white hand travelled to and fro across the paper. ' but it seems that the Fair Lady has a Brother, who, finding Me Enamoured, threw down the Gauntlet. I soundly whipt the presumptuous Child, and so the Affair ends. Now, as you, My dear Frank, also took some Interestt in the Lady, I write for the Express Purpose of informing You that at my Hands she has received no Hurt, nor is not like to. That I in part tell You and You shall not imagine Yr self in Honor bound again to call Me out, which Purpose, an I mistake not, I yesterday read in Yr Eyes. I should be Exceeding loth to meet You in a Second Time, when I should consider it my Duty to teach You an even severer Lesson than Before. This I am not Wishful of doing for the Liking I bear You. 'So in all Friendship believe me, Frank, 'Your most Obedient, Humble 'Devil.' His Grace of Andover paused, pen held in mid-air. A mocking smile dawned in his eyes, and he wrote again. 'In the event of any Desire on Yr Part to hazard Yr Luck with my late Paramour, Permit Me to warn You 'gainst the Bantam Brother, who is in Very Truth a Fire-Eater, and would wish to make of You, as of Me, one Mouthfull. I shall hope to see You at the Queensbe