Sir Waldo Hawkridge is known as the Nonesuch. In his time, the early 1800s, this was a man who was an accomplished and talented and admired all-around sportsman, good at everything the upper classes considered a worthy pursuit. Like boxing, hunting, fencing, horsemanship. It also helped that Waldo was tall, good looking, personable and extremely wealthy. The whole package, as the saying goes.
Ancilla Trent, a humble governess, did not approve of men who spent their time pursuing sports. So when she got to meet Waldo and found out what a good-hearted and genuine person he was, it was a bit confusing for her. He was totally not what she pictured a sportsman to be. And bit by bit, she lost her heart to Waldo, even though, as a mere governess, she was not on the same social level as he.
But Waldo didn't care who society thought was the appropriate mate for a man of his wealth and standing. He thought Ancilla was the only woman for him. But when he began to pursue her in earnest, she spurned him. But why? Then he discovered that she knew about what his friends called "Waldo's brats." Oh, dear!
This was an OK read. Not as engaging as some of Heyer's romances. At over 240 pages, it a bit on the long side and really doesn't cover much ground other than two adults meeting and falling for each other. And clearing up a slight misunderstanding before true love triumphs. And the bad behavior of Ancilla's teenage student, Tiffany Wield, beautiful, selfish, wealthy and very spoiled. Really not much of a plot there at all. But it is still quite a pleasure to read and enjoy, even if not as dynamic as some of her stories.
Here is a review by Marie Burton on Austenprose.
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