The Quiet Gentleman is a Regency novel by Georgette Heyer, published at the start of 1951 by William Heinemann Ltd.[1] Set in the spring of 1816, after the Battle of Waterloo, it is the story of the return home from the wars of the Seventh Earl of St Erth to claim his inheritance.

[2] Gervase Frant, 7th Earl of St Erth, who became estranged from his father as a young boy, was reared by his maternal grandmother and then spent years serving in the military during the Napoleonic wars.

Out riding one day, Gervase happens upon an attractive young lady who has fallen off her horse and discovers her to be Marianne, the daughter of another member of the local gentry, Sir Thomas Bolderwood.

Having made Marianne's acquaintance, Gervase resolves that there should be a ball, an idea which Martin throws himself into with enthusiasm, although it falls to Drusilla to organize it.

Prior to the ball, Gervase is awoken one night by what he believes is an intruder in his room and finds there a handkerchief that belongs to Martin.

"Lucy" (short for Lucius), Lord Ulverston, an old army friend of Gervase's who is heir to the earldom of Wrexham, arrives at Stanyon unexpectedly and is invited to stay for the upcoming ball.

Lord Gervase Frant, former Viscount Desborough, estranged son of the 6th earl of St Erth and his first wife, brought up by his maternal grandmother, Lady Penniston Martin Frant - second son of the 6th earl Theodore Frant - Gervase and Martin's capable cousin Dowager Countess St Erth - the 6th earl's second wife Mr Clowne - the family chaplain Lady Louisa Grampound - half-sister of St Erth, married to Lord Grampound Miss Drusilla Morville - a neighbour, staying at Stanyon while her parents visit the Lakes.