I'd read that.

[azurelunatic]

runpunkrun has Feelings about the Regency romance genre's overused tropes:

You know what? I want to read a Regency romance about the second most notorious rake in London. He's pretty good at flirting, but that other guy is always swooping in and stealing away his conquests. It just drives him up the wall! So the second most notorious rake in London decides to do something about it. No matter what it takes, he will win the title of Most Notorious Rake in London. The current Most Notorious Rake in London thinks this sounds like good fun, as a little competition always makes things more interesting. They start showing up at all the same parties and watch each other keenly, studying the other's moves, getting into his head, exploiting his weaknesses, admiring his talents, enjoying the tightness of his breeches, going riding together, falling in love.

Context is reading a lot.

Comments

[inoru_no_hoshi]

I'd read that, too.

...In fact, I'm tempted to start researching Regency London just so I could write that. NOOO TOO MUCH TO DO ALREADY RIGHT NOW. D:

[montuos]

Sadly, it would be extremely difficult to pull off without totally breaking suspension of disbelief. :-/

In the Regency time period homosexuality was not just frowned upon by Society, but it was illegal. If you were convicted of ‘buggery’, you could be sentenced to death. And yes, they did have trials and they did hang men if convicted. In fact, the executions were public affairs and people gathered outside the prison to watch the poor fellow(s) die.

RE difficulty

[jaxomsride2]

It would seem that so long as they were reasonably discreet, being prosecuted and hanged didn't occur that often. At least according to an interview with an author of at least one m/m Regency romance. She evidently has done her homework.

http://www.afterelton.com/people/2007/3/mjpearson

[inoru_no_hoshi]

Hmmm. Alternate history? Of course then you'd have to think about how it came about that it wasn't illegal, which all things considered would probably drive me right around the bend. >__>

[paxpinnae]

Actually, you could probably write a decent modern version centered around the pick-up artist community. It wouldn't be as ~elegant~ though.

[inoru_no_hoshi]

Elegant can be a point of view! Heeeeeee. But yes, fair point. :D