Hello!

I'm translating Almost Heaven into Croatian and I really enjoy it. However, I have one question and I hope you can help me. In chapter 18, when Ian comes to Stanhope Park to visit his grandfather, he finds letters which Mr. Edgard Norwich wrote about him. In one of the letters Norwich says that "young Ian is a fine whip". I'm not quite sure what "whip" refers to here: is it related to Ian's riding abilities or does it mean something else?

Thank you very much!

It just means he's a great lad, sharp and strong and all the good stuff, maybe like a whip. I don't think it refers to his riding abilities directly.

Oh, I never thought about it like that, but that's also a great theory!! I've always interpreted it as him being highly skilled at the reins, much as Georgette Heyer uses the term in her books when characters are driving those high-perch phaetons.

It's a British saying meaning he is a smart boy.