Frederica (Heyer novel)

First edition cover, with art by Arthur Barbosa, depicting the balloon ascension where Frederica's young brother creates turmoil.

Frederica is a novel by Georgette Heyer revolving around a wealthy nobleman who is a confirmed bachelor. His affluent sisters, whom he dislikes, lobby him to give a ball at his own expense for their daughters' come-out. A distant cousin also asks him to introduce her attractive younger sister to the ton. To the astonishment of all, he agrees to give the ball on condition that his encroaching sisters share it with their unknown cousins. His sisters assume he must be under the spell of the beautiful younger cousin, whereas it is the seemingly unremarkable older cousin, encumbered with raising her three orphaned younger siblings and managing a neglectful older brother, who has caught his carefully concealed interest.

The novel's male lead is named Alverstoke (and he is a Marquis). The female lead is Frederica Merriville, caretaker of several orphaned siblings. First published in 1965, Frederica is one of Heyer's signature Regency romances, estimated to take place in 1818. An ebook of this novel can be borrowed via OverDrive.