The Great Roxhythe is set in the glittering but treacherous court of Charles II, in which the brilliant and wealthy Marquis of Roxhythe wears the mask of a cynical, self-serving courtier, allowing even his friends to believe he is cold and disloyal. Yet this public façade is his greatest sacrifice; in secret, he drains his own fortune and stains his own name to operate as the king's most trusted spy and protector. The story is a tragedy of devotion, leaving Roxhythe completely alone, his immense loyalty and suffering a silent burden known only to the sovereign he serves so completely. Georgette Heyer (died 1974) was a significant literary figure of the 20th century. Their work has endured across generations and continues to be read and studied worldwide. As a work of classic literary fiction, The Great Roxhythe exemplifies the narrative craft and social insight that defined great storytelling of its era. Literary fiction of this period was characterized by careful attention to character psychology, social milieu, and the moral questions that animated public discourse.