A Civil Contract is a 1961 historical romance novel by Georgette Heyer.
After his father's death Viscount Lynton finds he has inherited debts along with his title. He considers selling his family home. His solicitor suggests a marriage of convenience to a rich woman as an alternative. Lynton reluctantly agrees and marries Jenny Chawleigh. At first he's embarrassed by her father's behaviour and is still in love with his friend Julia, but he gradually falls in love with Jenny.
Contains examples of:
- All Take and No Give: Adam is stricken with horror upon realizing that, while Jenny is trying to make him comfortable and her wealth has given him everything, he's given her nothing. After that point, he starts trying to be considerate of her feelings and wants instead of being polite but minimum-effort.
- Birds of a Feather: Once they get to know each other, Adam and Jenny discover they have far more in common than either suspected, with both being level-headed, practical, reserved in matters of their feelings, countryside lovers, and interested in handling their household affairs hands-on.
- First Love: Adam for Julia and vice versa. Compounding issues is that he's still in love with her, but has to marry Jenny to save his family. And they still have to see each other in society. By the end of the novel, he's moved on and loves Jenny, though Jenny notes he'll likely always have a special place in his heart for Julia.
- Happily Married: Adam and Jenny, eventually. The end of the novel notes that while theirs may not be a grand, exciting marriage built on the passion he had with Julia, it is one built on deepening friendship and comfortable love, and those make up far more of life's moments than passion alone.
- Historical In-Joke: Adam buying Government stock just before Waterloo.
- It Will Never Catch On: Jenny's father warning Adam that Wellington is bound to lose at Waterloo.
- Nobility Marries Money: What kickstarts the Arranged Marriage between Adam and Jenny is the former's desperate need of money to pay off his father's debt's, and the latter's father's desperate want of a title for his daughter.
- My Sister Is Off-Limits: Parodied: Adam pretends to be doubtful about Brough's intentions.
- Perfectly Arranged Marriage:
- Adam and Jenny, as despite initial appearances they're both willing to try and make it work — Jenny rather more so, of course — and suit each other well.
- Julia and Rockhill, despite the age gap. He finds her dramatics quite endearing and handles them well, while she's happy to be surrounded by love.
- Regency England: The book is set between 1814-1815.
- Suddenly Suitable Suitor: Adam barely registers Jenny's existence until he finds out he's bankrupt and she has lots of money.
- Tone Shift: Although the setting is classic Heyer, the story is spread over a longer period and is in many ways more realistic, with a less dashing, more realistic outcome than usual
- Wrong Guy First: Naturally for a Heyer novel. By the end of the book, Adam and Julia have both learned that, while they had passion for each other, they didn't have very compatible personalities: Adam finds Julia too dramatic and she finds him too boring, and their current spouses suit them much better.
