The Daredevil

In Short

The Daredevil is a lighthearted 1916 romantic adventure following Roberta, the Marquise de Grez and Bye. Posing as a young man named Robert Carruthers, she travels to Tennessee to assist her estranged, misogynistic uncle, General Robert. She quickly becomes embroiled in a state politics scandal involving fraudulent wartime supply contracts, all while serving as secretary to the handsome Governor Faulkner. Equal parts comedy of errors and period romance, the novel endures as a spirited, quick-witted tale of cross-dressing antics, cross-cultural misunderstandings, and high-stakes romantic tension in early twentieth-century America.

The Story

Roberta, a headstrong young French noblewoman, boards a transatlantic liner bound for the United States, leaving behind war-torn Europe and the memory of her late father. Dressed in men's tweed clothing and sporting a freshly bobbed haircut, she adopts the identity of her nonexistent brother, Robert Carruthers. Her destination is the State of Harpeth (Tennessee), where her fiery uncle, General Robert Carruthers, resides. General Robert holds a deep-seated hatred for all women, believing them to be inherently deceitful. Roberta hopes that by proving her worth as a honorable nephew first, she can eventually win his heart and redeem her sex in his eyes.

Upon arriving in Harpeth, "Robert" is immediately integrated into local high society and local politics. General Robert enlists his new nephew to act as an interpreter and advisor for incoming French military commissioners who are negotiating lucrative supply contracts for war mules. However, corruption brews beneath the surface. A local socialite, Madam Whitworth, is covertly conspiring to sell unreliable gasoline engines and inferior mules to the French war effort, imperiling soldiers in the trenches.

Recognizing the young Frenchman's intelligence and charm, Governor William "Bill" Faulkner hires "Robert" as his personal secretary. As they work together, Roberta grows deeply fond of the Governor, admiring his integrity, compassion, and leadership. Tensions rise when Madam Whitworth and her political allies attempt to frame Governor Faulkner and his allies for corruption. To uncover the truth behind the fraudulent contracts, the Governor and "Robert" embark on a secret, three-day expedition on horseback into the rugged mountains of Old Harpeth to locate a key witness hiding at a wildcat moonshine still.

Throughout the physically demanding journey, Roberta struggles to maintain her masculine disguise while nursing her growing love for the Governor. After securing the necessary evidence to clear the Governor's name and defeat the corrupt war profiteers, Roberta's true identity is finally exposed. Far from being furious, General Robert is charmed and proud of his niece's bravery. Governor Faulkner, having already formed a deep bond with his "secretary," realizes his affection for Roberta, culminating in a joyful proposal in the estate's moonlit garden.

How It Unfolds

Crossing the Atlantic Roberta leaves France aboard a ocean liner, encountering American travelers, perfecting her English, and contemplating the freedom that male attire will grant her in a new land.

Taking the Plunge In a New York hotel, Roberta cuts her hair short, dons a suit of men's tweed clothes, and officially assumes the identity of young Robert Carruthers before boarding the train south.

Meeting the General Arriving in Harpeth, "Robert" meets General Robert Carruthers, a staunch woman-hater who immediately takes a liking to his sharp, lithe French "nephew."

Entering the Capitol "Robert" accepts a position as private secretary to Governor William Faulkner, navigating the complex world of state politics, southern charm, and political rivalry.

Uncovering the Scheme While translating documents for French military buyers, Roberta discovers that the glamorous Madam Whitworth is attempting to palm off useless equipment on the French army.

Into the Tall Timbers Governor Faulkner and "Robert" ride covertly into the steep mountains of Old Harpeth to track down a mountain moonshiner who holds the key to exposing the conspiracy.

Unmasking the Marquise With the political plot foiled and the war contracts secured, Roberta reveals her true identity to her astonished uncle and the Governor, receiving forgiveness and celebration instead of anger.

The People

• Roberta, Marquise de Grez and Bye ("Robert Carruthers"): A brave, witty French aristocrat who disguised herself as a man to explore the world, clear her family name, and navigate American society.
• Governor William "Bill" Faulkner: The principled, compassionate chief executive of Harpeth, who seeks to govern with honor and unwittingly falls in love with his charming young secretary.
• General Robert Carruthers: Roberta's stern, hot-tempered uncle, whose bitter prejudice against women is slowly broken down by his pride in his "nephew."
• Buzz Clendenning: A lively, boisterous local youth known as "Buzz the Bumble Bee," who quickly becomes "Robert's" loyal companion and guide through local youth culture.
• Madam Whitworth: A scheming, attractive local woman involved in war profiteering who uses her charm to manipulate political officials.

In Its Own Voice

"Was there ever a woman who did not very greatly desire for herself, at long moments, the doublet and hose of a man, perhaps also his sword, as well as his attitude in the viewing of life?"

(Roberta reflects on her decision to cross-dress as she embarks on her voyage across the Atlantic.)

"Women are like crows, all black; and the exceptional white one only makes the rest look blacker."

(General Robert expresses his deep-seated misogyny to his newly arrived "nephew.")

"And it was under the light of the old moon, in the garden of those grande dames Carruthers, that Roberta, Marquise de Grez and Bye, who is the last of their line, walked with the great gentleman who was and is her lover."

(Roberta describes the romantic resolution with Governor Faulkner at the story's conclusion.)

What It's Really About

The Daredevil explores gender identity, social roles, and female autonomy in the early twentieth century. By stepping into "doublet and hose," Roberta gains access to political corridors, mountain wilderness, and candid male camaraderie denied to women of her era. The novel critiques rigid gender expectations and misogyny—personified by General Robert—by demonstrating that courage, honor, and administrative competence are not male monopolies. Additionally, set against the backdrop of World War I, the narrative contrasts European wartime urgency with American domestic politics, examining patriotism, civic duty, and political corruption.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy vintage romantic comedies, classic disguise tropes, or cheerful early-1900s fiction will find much to admire in The Daredevil. Maria Thompson Daviess writes with lighthearted momentum, creating a protagonist whose internal monologue is brimming with charm, earnestness, and naive observations about American customs.

Modern readers should be prepared for period-specific elements, including idealized Southern regional stereotypes, exaggerated dialect phonetics from African American house servants, and the breezy romantic logic typical of early twentieth-century popular serials. Despite these dated aspects, the novel remains an entertaining read, offering a vivid time-capsule glimpse into pre-WWI American pop fiction and a surprisingly spirited heroine who refuses to be constrained by her corset.