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

[montuos]

For good Regency, start with Jane Austen. Also read Georgette Heyer.

[adalger]

Ooh. I just finished Pride and Prejudice not that long ago. So, if I modeled the second-most-notorious rake after Wickham, this should be a reasonable starting point, no?

[teapot_rabbit]

Wickham's just a twit. :( Georgette Heyer is frequently credited with basically inventing the Regency romance novel trope. Some of hers are quite good. A personal favorite of mine is The Toll-Booth, but it doesn't have the lovable rake as a main character. Try The Corinthian, maybe, or Frederica.

[jaxomsride2]

You'd have more fun basing him on Justin Alistair The Duke of Avon in These Old Shades. Of course him being Bi makes it easier.