The Quiet Gentleman — Georgette Heyer

Gervase Frant finally returns to his father's estate to claim his title as the new Seventh Earl of St. Erth at Stanyon. Unscathed from Waterloo, Gervase expected a hero's welcome-instead he's given a frigid cold shoulder. Upon his return, only Theo, a cousin even quieter than himself, is there to greet him--and when he meets his stepmother and half-brother open disdain put a chill on Gervase's welcome, and he detects open regret that he has survived inconveniently to wars. Now he must establish himself as the new head of the house... and ignore his family's rising hostility.

Then Gervase's eye is caught by a lovely Drusilla Morville -- the same young woman already much in favor with his half-brother. Gervase struggles to maintain a gentlemanly balance, but now the brothers are again rivals as they bid for the lady's attentions. But the dangers of the Lincolnshire countryside could never be more unexpected. Gervase finds himself the victim of repeatedly life-threatening accidents. And soon it becomes increasingly clear that someone wants the new Earl cruelly dead.. Free-spirited Drusilla Morville is captivated by Gervase but knows that she does not stand a chance against the debutantes vying for his affections and she does not want to intervene between the brothers, until Gervase's life is endangered and Drusilla comes to the rescue.

Hero: Gervase Frant, Earl of St. Erth at Stanyon
Heroine: Drusilla Morville