Comedies of Courtship

A charming assortment of late‑Victorian sketches, this volume turns the rituals of romance into a series of gentle jokes and sharp observations. The stories move through drawing‑rooms, country estates and bustling towns, always listening for the small absurdities that surface when love meets pride, propriety and the occasional mis‑delivered note. With a light, witty narrator, the collection captures the era’s manners while reminding listeners that the heart’s quirks are timeless.

The opening tale follows a wealthy young couple, John and Mary, whose engagement seems as smooth as the polished parquet of their country house. Beneath their courteous smiles they exchange secret letters, each convinced the other is oblivious, while a bemused housekeeper watches the game unfold. Their flirtations spiral into a series of comic mishaps—cigars, misplaced letters and a wayward terrier—revealing how even the most privileged can stumble over the simplest acts of affection. The story sets a playful tone that invites listeners to smile at the universal dance of courtship.