Love and a Cough . . .

. . . cannot be hid. Or so says Dorothy L Sayers in Gaudy Night. I was all set to write about the blessed Dorothy today on account of just having received a set of re-issued Wimsey books from Hodder and Stoughton in London. (This is most of them; four are reprinting.)

Then I noticed the date and thought I'd probably better blog about lerrrrrve. But then - two birds, one stone - I happen to think DLS is the most romantic crimewriter and Harriet and Peter are the most romantic crime solving duo.

They meet In Strong Poison in a scene with one of the most English proposals ever:

Peter: Oh well - I thought you'd be rather an attractive person to marry. That's all. I mean, I sort of took a fancy to you. I can't tell you why. There's no rule about it, you know.

Harriet: I see. Well, it's very nice of you.

She turns him down. Then they meet again in Have His Carcase, for another soaring proposal scene:

Harriet: Where did you come from?

Peter: From London. Like a bird that hears the call of its mate.

Harriet: I didn't-

Peter: I meant the corpse. But still, talking of mates, will you marry me?

Harriet: Certainly not.

Peter: I thought not . . .

In Gaudy Night, they've got the format down to the absolute basics:

Peter: I take it, Harriet, that you have no new answer to give me?

Harriet: No, Peter. I'm sorry, but I can't say anything else.

Peter: All right. Don't worry. I'll try not to be a nuisance.

So far you'd be forgiven for wondering if I know what the word "romantic" actually means. But! Then comes the scene in the punt. Peter is reading case notes and Harriet finds herself studying his face:

It was by this time tolerably familiar to her, but now she saw the details, magnified as it were by some glass in her own mind. The flat setting and fine scroll-work of the ear, and the height of the skull above it. The glitter of close-cropped hair where the neck muscles lifted to meet the head. A minute sickle-shaped scar on the left temple. The faint laughter-lines at the corner of the eye and the droop of the lid at its outer end. The gleam of golden down on the cheek-bone. The wide spring of the nostril. And almost imperceptible beading of sweat of the upper lip and a tiny muscle that twitched the sensitive corner of the mouth. The slight sun-reddening of the fair skin and its sudden whiteness below the base of the throat. The little hollow above the points of the collar-bone.

He looked up; and she was instantly scarlet, as though she had been dipped in boiling water. Through the confusion of her darkened eyes and drumming ears some enormous bulk seemed to stoop over her. Then the mist cleared. His eyes were riveted upon the manuscript again, but he breathed as though he had been running.

So, thought Harriet, it has happened.

If you don't find that swoon-some, maybe check your pulse. 

Busman's Honeymoon is technically a detective novel, but there's more romance in it than in some romances. They marry - claiming one another in splendid triumph - they spend an entirely satisfactory wedding night together - behind the lightest of gauze curtains - they spar, they canoodle, they murmur sweet nothings (mostly literary quotations) and generally act like the smuggest smug-marrieds you've ever rolled your eyes about at a dinner party. But there are quiet moments of true communion that would melt the stoniest heart and still the rolliest eyes.

Peter: ... I've always been alone.

Harriet: Yes, of course. I'm like that too. I like to crawl away and hide in a corner. 

Peter: Well, you're my corner and I've come to hide.

 

I've loved all the Wimsey books for a long time, as my original collection shows:

I love the early ones pre-Harriet as well as these four. The plots are ingenious, the settings rock-solid and there are laughs a-plenty. (I like the bit in Have His Carcase when Peter asks if Harriet isn't perhaps displaying  what he calls "a certain coarsening of the fibres" in inviting press attention instead of fleeing from it as she used to. "Obviously,' said Harriet. "My fibres at this moment resemble coconut matting." Makes me giggle every time.) But what I adore most of all is this awkward, stumbling, complicated, emerging relationship between equals. 

That's why, when I was asked to join the chorus giving voice to our love of Dorothy and write an introduction for one of the volumes, I knew which one I wanted. Not my overall favourite - The Nine Tailors - or the one set where I used to live  - The Five Red Herrings - or the masterpiece - Gaudy Night. Nope, I wanted to write the introduction to the last and shortest collection of Wimsey stories, published after Dorothy's death as Striding Folly. 

And that's because in the final story of all, "Talboys", we get to see Harriet and Peter awkward no more, stumble-free, uncomplicated, and loving every minute of their life. I'm a sucker for a happy ending.

So, what do you think? Do you agree with my choice of most romantic crime-solvers? Or who do you reckon should get the prize? Happy Valentine's Day!

 

 

Comments

[Margaret Hamilton Turkevich]

Agreed. Domestic bliss, stolen peaches, and a snake named Cuthbert.

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

Love them so madly! And it makes me proud to be named Harriet…
I have a huge crush on Peter, and always have. And Morse, too.
( Jonathan and I dressed as Peter and Harriet for Crime bake one year, and it was lovely… )

I'm also very fond of Nick and Nora!

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

And why is it that you can absolutely hear the accents in the printed word?

[Laura DiSilverio]

What a great post, Catriona. I've only read a couple of these books, but you've given me a new appreciation for them. I need to read more.

[Lori]

I'm going to have to get at my unread Sayers books. I've only read Strong Poison of the Harriet books. Tsk. I know. Until you prove me wrong, I vote for Nick and Nora from The Thin Man. Nick and Nora forever.

[James W. Ziskin]

Have always loved Lord Peter and Harriet Vane.

[Coco Ihle]

Ahh, food for thought, Catriona. I've always liked Nick and Nora, but perhaps I'll re-think. Thanks for a terrific post.

[Pat]

I will always have a crush on Lord Peter. Enough said.

[Leslie Karst]

I've been in love with both Lord Peter and Harriet Vane since I was sixteen. And his series of marriage proposals has always reminded me of the P.D. Eastman book, GO DOG GO, where the boy dog asks the girl dog over and over again, "Do you like my hat?" She consistently answers, "No, I do not like that hat"--until the very romantic end.

[Ritter Ames]

Agreed, and a terrific post! I used to write reviews for the local newspaper and one of the first I reviewed was wonderful volume of her letters. I was already a Lord Peter and Harriet fan, but that wonderful treasure trove of written correspondence by Sayers told me so much more. Made me an even bigger fan after reading :) And yes, there was info relating to romance elements in the broad spectrum of the volume's information too.

[Ann Mason.]

We were talking about Lord Peter, Harriet, and DLS at dinner last night. I was asked if I knew anything about the latter's illegitimate child. I don't. Off to google this. Do you know? Silly question. Of course you do. HVD. Xox

[Triss Stein]

The moment in Gaudy Night (very roughly quoted from memory here and better in the original!) when Peter admires a Bach concert and Harriet asks what he means and he says, "Only that I like my music counterpoint. And if you think I mean more, then you know what I mean." Ahhh. The whole point of the story. Lovely.

[Edith Maxwell]

What a lovely reminder of the best of Sayers, Catriona. Thank you. I haven't read that last collection - must remedy immediately!

[Donna M Williams More]

To me it is the scene before the concert, on the roof, looking out over Oxford. "I set out in a lordly manor to offer you heaven and earth. I find that all I have to give you is Oxford - which was yours already. Look! Go round about her and tell the towers thereof. It has been my humble privilege to clean and polish your property and present her for your inspection on a silver salver. Enter into your heritage and do not, as is said in another connection, be afraid with any amazement"

Acknowledges his mistakes, their equality, that while he has helped her she has no need of him. Whichever choice she makes she can do so without fear. True romance needs the love that comes with the underpinnings of reality. Can't count the number of times I've read Gaudy Night - the first time I had been married 8 months and was 7 months pregnant, starting on a new career. I alternately tear up or cheer each time I read that passage. 34 years into the marriage.