Dear Lady Shannon,

No man would declare himself a rake. This disparaging moniker is given by others to the deserving chap who has earned it by displaying his bad behavior to one and all.

Miss Pickworth is eager to enlighten Lady Shannon to the attributes of a rake in order that this dear woman (and other readers) may avoid such a person at all cost. A proper lady will display many accomplishments, and a true gentleman must also reveal a manner, wit, and deportment worthy of his rank. But, oh dear. Miss Pickworth dreads to report that some gentlemen of high breeding and estimable education choose to demonstrate less than acceptable behaviors. These men are known by various names. Rake, cad, roué, and libertine are among the most common.

To spell out the activities of the rake is revolting to Miss Pickworth, yet she is gallantly determined to respond to her beloved readers. Such men as those aforementioned are known to display one or more of the following truly despicable attributes: They may engage in gaming (placing bets on card games, dice, or such sporting events as cock fighting and dog fighting), drinking hard liquors to excess, participating in glove matches (bare-knuckle boxing, which is illegal in England), gluttony, the accumulation of massive debt, and dueling (also illegal). And yes, even in the Regency, the drug known as laudanum is a problem. Dried sap from the poppy seed is imported in massive quantities from Bengal. Either smoked or taken in water, laudanum has consumed many of Society’s best and brightest, including the Prince Regent who is said to regularly take up to 250 drops a day.

As if this were not bad enough, many so-called gentlemen participate in various forms of licentious, wicked, immoral, and shameless behavior toward women. They may choose to view obscene statues and paintings brought in for that purpose from the Orient or Europe. They may participate in discreet (or indiscreet) affairs. And they may also take mistresses by whom they bear children. Again, Miss Pickworth is sad to report that the Prince Regent falls into the latter category, along with many dukes, earls, and others at the highest levels of our Society.

Lest we overwhelm ourselves with regret, please permit Miss Pickworth to be of encouragement, for she assures you that there is nothing about a rake that cannot be reformed. Indeed, as readers will soon observe in THE COURTEOUS CAD, a truly good woman can tame even the most reckless rake.