"I know it's not Latin because obscenity was the sole aspect of my classical studies to which I paid attention. I believe the word there is irrumare," Philip added, somewhat smugly.
"Fellare," Guy corrected without thinking.
"I'm sure Catullus has irrumare."
"He does, but it doesn’t mean quite the same thing."
Philip's grin was an evil joy. "You really will have to explain the distinction." [loc. 2691]
Guy Frisby and his sister live quietly in the countryside, their lives blighted by a dreadful scandal (or two) and their finances controlled by disapproving Aunt Beatrice. Guy whiles away his time reading unexpurgated Latin poetry and trying not to think too hard about why he prefers it unexpurgated: Amanda, meanwhile, has been writing a Gothic novel, The Secret of Darkdown, whose characters are based on their disreputable neighbour, Sir Philip Rookwood, and his coterie of wickedness, a.k.a. the Murder. ('if you go around belonging to a hellfire club called ‘the Murder’ and having orgies, you can’t complain if people wonder about you'.)
Guy is horrified. Amanda is blithe, and has been paid ten pounds for her novel.
Then Amanda breaks a leg, badly, while riding on Sir Philip's land, and Guy hastens to her rescue only to discover that Sir Philip's doctor (who is Foreign) insists that Amanda's life is at risk if she is moved. So Guy and Amanda must remain at Rookwood Hall for days if not weeks, constantly on guard for signs of debauchery.
These signs are not immediately apparent. Sir Philip's house-party seems to consist wholly of well-mannered young(ish) men, though two are black, one's a Jew, and at least one is an atheist. Poor Guy! The company he's forced to keep is quite unlike anything he has previously encountered -- even before he accidentally witnesses something thoroughly ... illegal. Yes. Legality is the only possible issue that Guy could have with Sir Philip's behaviour towards the rakish Lord Corvin.
This novel is a thorough delight: not one but two charming love stories, and some thoroughly transgressive (i.e. 'modern') elements including polyamory, a trans character, enthusiastic consent, fossils, the possibilities of sugar-beet, Latin vocabulary, and a passionate scene in which the two protagonists never actually touch. There is even, touchingly, an element of compassion and redemption for repressive Aunt Beatrice: I really admired that, because it would have been so easy and so credible for her to remain unchanged.
A cheering and positive read, with some characters I wouldn't mind seeing again, some very funny lines (Amanda is especially witty) and a sense that everything has worked out for the best.
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