Adolphus Gillespie Vernon Ware, Duke of Sale is only twenty-four years old. An orphan, he has been raised by his uncle, Lord Lionel Ware. A sickly child, Gillie has grown up to be a biddable and diffident young man. Currently his uncle is in charge of Gillie's money and of his many estates but in a few months, Gillie will be of age and will gain control of his vast wealth and many properties.
All his life, Gillie has been closely cared for by his uncle and the people hired to care for him. His butler, his valet, his nurse are all old family servants and they truly love the young Duke. But Gillie is feeling a bit oppressed by the close care and supervision and sometimes wishes he was just an ordinary fellow, free to come and go as he chose.
Gillie is unpleasantly surprised that his uncle has arranged a marriage for him with Lady Harriet Presteigne, a quiet and docile young lady he has known for a long time. Although he doesn't dislike Harriet, Gillie still feels like he is not in control of his own life. But despite this, he travels to town to propose to Harriet and his proposal is accepted, both young people doing exactly what they are expected and required to do.
But after be coming engaged, Gillie is wishing even more that he were free to live his life as he chooses. So when he finds out his cousin is being blackmailed, Gillie decides to pose as his cousin Matthew and confront the blackmailer himself. So he sets off on a grand adventure in which he rescues a runaway school boy and a hapless maiden and thwarts a villain determined to squeeze as much money as he can out of the wealthy young Duke.
This is one of my favorite Heyer stories. It is not so much a romance as it is the adventures of the young Duke. The Duke proves his capability over and over again, dealing with thugs and rogues and rambunctious school boys and a very beautiful but very stupid young woman, the Foundling. It's a lot of fun and a lot is going on in the story and the ending is not only very satisfying but also a bit surprising.
See also a Review by Austenprose.
No comments:
Post a Comment