why is this scene familiar?

[mayakda]

Just finished reading The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig and there is a scene in it that is so very familiar that I am almost positive I have read it before, long ago. Since the book was published in 2011, it seems unlikely, so maybe I am just remembering something similar. Anyone remember where it might be from?

(spoilers for The Orchid Affair)

Comments

[icecreamempress]

There are a bunch of scenes in this book that are purposeful echoes of other books (the "pretending to be a Commedia dell'Arte troupe" is a purposeful echo of Scaramouche, for instance).

I think this scene was in a Georgette Heyer--maybe The Reluctant Widow? It's a long time since I read Heyer.

[mayakda]

I read every Heyer in our library a couple of years ago but for some reason I don't remember The Reluctant Widow. I'll have to borrow it again.
Not remembering exactly why it's familiar is bothering me like an itch I can't scratch.

[mayakda]

The Comedia troupe disguise also reminded me of the Casablanca movie (the one with Heath Ledger).