The Corinthian is a regency novel by Georgette Heyer. Plot summary Sir Richard Wyndham, an accomplished Corinthian, is being forced into marriage by his family, who want him to have an heir. Depressed by the life laid out before him, he nevertheless agrees to this course. The night before he is to announce his choice he comes across Penelope Creed, a young girl in boys' clothes, hanging helplessly from an upper story window. She is a very wealthy orphan who is running away from her own distasteful marriage plans. The two become allies, leave London in search of Miss Creed's childhood sweetheart, and find themselves in the middle of a dangerous game of mystery, theft, and murder. Characters Richard/Beau Wyndham aka Mr. Brown – At twenty-nine he is extremely wealthy, a leader of the ton, and an accomplished sportsman, living in St. James's Square. He is a member of White's and an arbitre of fashion, with his clothes made by Weston & his boots by Hoby. His cravat is tied to his own design – the Wyndham Fall – a style much emulated by his admirers. He has remained unmarried because he is convinced that prospective brides are only interested in his money. In a drunken moment he insists on accompanying Pen Creed to her childhood home. In the process he avoids a betrothal to Melissa Brandon, whose family are relying on him to help them out of their financial difficulties. Penelope (Pen) Creed aka Penn Brown, Penn Wyndham – Orphaned at the age of twelve, Pen was sent to live in London with her uncle's family, the Griffins. At seventeen, and 'cursed' with a large fortune, Pen is put under pressure by Mrs. Griffin to marry her son Frederick. In an effort to avoid this fate she decides to run away to Piers Luttrell, her childhood sweetheart in Somerset, where she has her own estate. In her desperation to escape she agrees to Sir Richard Wyndham's accompanying her on her travels. Pen is a very pretty young lady, tall & slender, with guinea gold hair and eyes of cornflower blue. George, Lord Trevor – George is a rotund man in his early thirties, with an unfortunate penchant for extravagant & fashionable dress. He is a friend & brother-in-law of Richard Wyndham and protests (uselessly) that Richard should not have to marry Melissa "the iceberg" Brandon. He has an estate