Black Moth

"Black Moth" is a historical romance novel written by Georgette Heyer. It was her first published novel, released in 1921 when she was just 19 years old. The story is set in England during the mid-18th century and revolves around the adventures of the main protagonist, Jack Carstares.
The novel begins with Jack Carstares, a handsome and charismatic nobleman who is known as the "Black Moth" due to his reputation as a notorious highwayman. However, Jack is not actually a criminal but has assumed the identity of the Black Moth to protect his family's honor and reputation.
Jack's life takes a turn when he encounters Lord Lavenham, a friend of his late father who is unaware of his true identity. Lord Lavenham is being blackmailed, and Jack offers to help him by impersonating the Black Moth and retrieving some scandalous letters. Jack successfully retrieves the letters but is injured during his escape.
While seeking refuge to recover, Jack meets the beautiful and spirited Diana Beauleigh. Diana is engaged to the arrogant and tyrannical Duke of Andover, who is also Jack's estranged cousin. Jack becomes determined to protect Diana from the Duke's abusive behavior and tries to convince her to break off the engagement.
As the story unfolds, Jack and Diana find themselves drawn to each other despite the obstacles they face. Jack must navigate the treacherous world of aristocratic society, deal with his complicated family dynamics, and confront the Duke of Andover, who will stop at nothing to possess Diana.
"Black Moth" is a tale of adventure, romance, and mistaken identities, filled with witty dialogue and vivid characters. Georgette Heyer's skillful storytelling and her attention to historical detail make this novel an engaging read for fans of historical romance.