The Corinthian is a 1940 historical romance novel by Georgette Heyer.
Sir Richard Wyndham is ordered by his family to marry and produce an heir. The night before he announces his choice of bride he meets Penelope Creed, a young woman who has disguised herself as a boy to avoid being forced into a marriage. The two of them become allies and set out to find Penelope's childhood sweetheart.
Contains examples of:
- Bedsheet Ladder: How Pen escapes her room, which leads to the Meet Cute.
- Childhood Friend Romance: The heroine is the Unlucky type.
- Childhood Marriage Promise: Pen and Piers Luttrell ... for all the good it does them
- MacGuffin: The diamond necklace.
- Meet Cute: The hero comes across the heroine dangling by a knotted sheet out her bedroom window (she's running away).
- Mistaken for Gay: Implicit; and then at the end several Innocent Bystanders see the hero "ruthlessly" kissing the heroine — who's still dressed as a boy.
- Regency England: The exact year is uncertain, but the book is set at some point during the Regency.
- Romantic False Lead/Disposable Fiancée : Does any reader seriously think Richard will marry Melissa?
- Runaway Fiancé: Richard, technically, as he was about to become engaged to Melissa before he ran away with Penelope.
- Sickeningly Sweethearts: Parodied with the Beta Couple.
- Sweet Polly Oliver: Penelope disguises herself as a boy to escape Mrs. Griffin.
