Beauvallet · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer.
Chapter 1
Dedication
The book is dedicated to F. D. H.
Chapter 2
Beauvallet
Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, an English privateer, captures the Spanish ship Santa Maria and meets Doña Dominica de Rada y Sylva, setting the stage for a daring romance and adventure across enemy lines.
Chapter 3
I
Sir Nicholas Beauvallet captures the Spanish galleon carrying Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva and his fiery daughter, Doña Dominica. After a brief skirmish, Beauvallet decides to take the Spanish nobles aboard his own ship, the Venture, promising to convey them to Spain. Dominica's initial fury and defiance give way to intrigued fascination with the audacious English privateer.
Chapter 4
II
Dominica and her father are guests aboard Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's ship. During supper, Dominica deliberately flirts with Master Dangerfield to provoke Beauvallet, who responds with teasing and a gift of his dagger. The chapter showcases the tension and attraction between Dominica and Beauvallet, as well as the cultural and personal clashes between the Spanish captives and their English captor.
Chapter 5
III
On the second day at sea, Don Manuel remains ill with fever, attended by Joshua Dimmock who prescribes a cordial and superstitious remedies. Joshua warns Sir Nicholas that Don Manuel is dying and suggests setting him ashore at the Canaries, but Beauvallet insists on Spain. Dominica, scornful of her captivity, challenges Beauvallet on deck, who teases her and vows to make an Englishwoman of her, sealing his promise with a kiss. The chapter also provides background on Beauvallet's reputation as a daring privateer and the licensed piracy against Spain.
Chapter 6
IV
Doña Dominica attempts to punish Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's impudence by flirting with Master Dangerfield, but her strategy fails to provoke the desired reaction. A tense and playful confrontation ensues between Dominica and Beauvallet, culminating in a kiss. Dominica later visits her ailing father, Don Manuel, where Beauvallet intervenes to remove Joshua Dimmock and his superstitious remedies.
Chapter 7
V
Don Manuel tests Dominica's feelings about Sir Nicholas, and she feigns dislike. Dominica later questions Dangerfield about Beauvallet's plans, then plays cards with Beauvallet himself. He reveals he will land them in Spain without a fight. As they near Spain, Dominica grows anxious about the constraints of Spanish society and her father's marriage plans. She gives Beauvallet a gold ring as a token. They land secretly on the Spanish coast at night, and Beauvallet kisses her before parting, promising to return.
Chapter 8
VI
Sir Nicholas Beauvallet returns to his brother Gerard's estate in Alreston, Hampshire, after his voyage. He reveals his intention to return to Spain to claim Doña Dominica de Rada y Sylva as his bride, despite the dangers of the Inquisition and the lack of an English ambassador. His brother Gerard strongly opposes the plan, but Nicholas remains resolute, confident in his luck and skill.
Chapter 9
VII
Sir Nicholas Beauvallet reveals to his brother Gerard and sister-in-law Kate his intention to travel to Spain to bring back Doña Dominica de Rada, a Spanish lady he has fallen in love with. Despite their protests, he remains resolute. He then travels to London, meets with Sir Francis Drake and other notable seamen at the Devil tavern, and shares his daring plan. Drake is amused but concerned, while others like Frobisher are skeptical. Nicholas also visits the court of Queen Elizabeth I, where he awaits an audience.
Chapter 10
VIII
Three months after his return to England, Sir Nicholas Beauvallet travels to Paris to obtain a French pass into Spain from his kinsman, the Marquis de Belrémy. After securing a forged pass under the name Gaston de Beauvallet, he and Joshua Dimmock journey south. At a frontier inn, Beauvallet kills a young man who attacks him and discovers the man is a scion of the House of Guise carrying secret papers to King Philip of Spain. Beauvallet decides to assume the identity of the Chevalier Claude de Guise and use the papers as a cover for his mission.
Chapter 11
IX
Beauvallet, disguised as the Chevalier de Guise, crosses into Spain using forged credentials and travels to Madrid. He learns of Don Manuel's death and Dominica's situation, then presents himself at court, meeting King Philip II and being sponsored into society by Don Diaz de Losa. He attends a party at Don Diaz's house, where he gathers information and plans his next moves.
Chapter 12
Chapter X
Dominica struggles with her aunt Doña Beatrice's pragmatic and cynical advice on religion and marriage, while Don Diego grows impatient with Dominica's coldness. Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, posing as the Chevalier de Guise, arrives in Madrid and secures an introduction to the Carvalho household, meeting Doña Beatrice but not yet Dominica.
Chapter 13
Chapter XI
At the ball in honor of Don Diego's birthday, Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, disguised as the Chevalier de Guise, boldly approaches Dominica and dances with her despite Don Diego's objections. Later, Dominica slips away to a private antechamber where Beauvallet arranges to meet her that night by climbing to her window. Meanwhile, Dominica schemes to use her suitor Miguel de Tobar to counter the Carvalhos' plans.
Chapter 14
XII
Dominica waits for the household to fall asleep after the ball, then secretly meets with Sir Nicholas Beauvallet in her chamber. They discuss their love, her impending forced marriage to Diego, and plans for her escape. Beauvallet reveals he entered Spain under a false identity and promises to spirit her away when she travels north to Vasconosa. They arrange to meet again at Don Alonso de Alepero's house.
Chapter 15
XIII
Sir Nicholas, posing as the Chevalier de Guise, continues his dangerous courtship of Dominica in Madrid. Dominica plans to escape to Vasconosa to avoid Don Diego's advances and to get Sir Nicholas out of danger. Sir Nicholas gathers intelligence on Spanish fleet preparations while playing a reckless game of cat-and-mouse with the authorities.
Chapter 16
XIV
At a party at Don Luis de Noveli's house, Don Diego's suspicions of his cousin Dominica's involvement with the Chevalier de Guise (secretly Sir Nicholas Beauvallet) intensify. Dominica tries to keep Beauvallet at a distance, but the arrival of Don Maxia de Perinat, who recognizes Beauvallet's voice and laugh, leads to a dramatic confrontation. Perinat exposes Beauvallet as the English pirate, and a sword fight erupts.
Chapter 17
Chapter XV
Doña Beatrice and Don Diego pressure Dominica to marry and flee Madrid to avoid suspicion of heresy and the Inquisition. Dominica defiantly defends her innocence and her love for Beauvallet, while Doña Beatrice reveals her amusement and respect for the pirate's daring, though she insists on sending Dominica to the country for safety.
Chapter 18
XVI
King Philip II learns of the arrest of the Chevalier de Guise, suspected of being Sir Nicholas Beauvallet. The French Ambassador, M. de Lauvinière, expresses doubts about the Chevalier's identity and requests patience until a letter to France is answered. Don Cristobal de Porres reports that the Chevalier's servant has fled with his valuables, and the King orders the Chevalier to be kept under courteous but secure guard pending further intelligence.
Chapter 19
XVII
Dominica faces the prospect of leaving Madrid for Vasconosa, while Joshua Dimmock, in disguise, observes Don Diego's departure and later manages to communicate with Dominica in a church. Sir Nicholas, imprisoned but well-treated, learns of the developments through Joshua's pantomime and begins to plan his escape.
Chapter 20
XVIII
Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, imprisoned and closely guarded, executes a daring escape plan. He tricks his two gaolers into leaving one alone, then overpowers him. After killing a sentry and causing a commotion, he encounters and subdues Don Cristobal de Porres, the Governor of the Guards, taking his cloak, hat, and the collar of the Golden Fleece. Disguised as Porres, he calmly walks out of the prison, passing a servant and a lackey, and heads toward a waiting coach.
Chapter 21
XIX
After Beauvallet's escape, the Spanish authorities scramble to recapture him. Perinat warns that Beauvallet will slip through any net, while Don Rodriguez fears for his niece Dominica's safety. King Philip II orders a party north to Vasconosa and sends runners to the ports and frontier. Meanwhile, Beauvallet and Joshua Dimmock ride north, aware of the pursuit but determined to reach Dominica.
Chapter 22
XX
Dominica and her aunt flee Madrid in a coach, with Dominica riding part of the way for freedom. Their journey is interrupted by masked riders who stage a fake attack; Dominica is captured and taken to a lodge, while Doña Beatrice suspects her son Don Diego is behind the scheme.
Chapter 23
XXI
Dominica is abducted by her cousin Don Diego de Carvalho and taken to a hunting lodge. She defiantly refuses his marriage proposal, asserting her loyalty to Beauvallet and threatening to choose a cloister over him. Don Diego locks her in a room, but she begins to search for a means of escape.
Chapter 24
XXII
Joshua recounts their harrowing seven-day ride through Spain, fleeing Madrid with Sir Nicholas. They face exhaustion, bad horses, and near-discovery, but bluff their way through using the King's business as a pretext. At Vasconosa, Sir Nicholas confronts Doña Beatrice, deducing that Don Diego has taken Dominica to a hunting lodge. When King's men arrive, he swiftly gags and binds Beatrice, passes her out the window to Joshua, and carries her off into the spinney before heading to the lodge.
Chapter 25
XXIII
Sir Nicholas Beauvallet storms the lodge where Dominica is imprisoned, fights Don Diego in a sword duel, and escapes after a fierce confrontation with Cruza and his guards.
Chapter 26
XXIV
Dominica and Joshua arrive at an inn in Villanova after a tense escape. Joshua spins a tale about brigands to explain their disheveled appearance, while Dominica plays the part of a noble lady. They wait anxiously for Beauvallet, who arrives safely after evading pursuit. The chapter ends with their reunion.
Chapter 27
XXV
Sir Nicholas Beauvallet successfully escapes from Spain with Doña Dominica, traveling across rough terrain to reach a port and board the Venture. Despite exhaustion and danger, they press on, and Dominica proves her mettle, earning praise from Joshua. The chapter ends with Beauvallet arranging for a parson to marry them aboard the ship.
Chapter 28
Epilogue
Joshua Dimmock recounts the aftermath of the adventure: Sir Nicholas Beauvallet marries Doña Dominica aboard ship, they return to England, are welcomed at Alreston by Sir Nicholas's brother and his wife, and later present themselves at Court before Queen Elizabeth I. Joshua reflects on his own indispensable role and the loss of a fine pair of stocks.
Chapter 29
Pedigree of the House of Beauvallet
This chapter presents a genealogical record of the Beauvallet family, tracing its lineage from Simon the Coldheart, 1st Baron Beauvallet, through subsequent generations, detailing births, marriages, deaths, and notable events up to the 7th Baron, Gerard Beauvallet.
Chapter 30
List of Illustrations
This chapter presents a list of illustrations and a pedigree of the House of Beauvallet, tracing the descendants of Simon the Coldheart, 1st Baron Beauvallet, for readers interested in the family's fortunes.
