The Unknown Ajax

by Georgette Heyer (read by Daniel Philpott) c. 1959

an annual re-read

Never assume

When Major Hugo Darracott's father married a "weaver' brat" he was disowned. Hugo was born and raised in Yorkshire, schooled at Harrow, joined the Army, fought in the Peninsula and later resigned his commission. When the heir apparent to the Darracott title (and estates) and his son both die suddenly, Hugo is next in line. Grandfather Darracott summons him home to meet the family, marry his cousin Anthea and start learning about the estate he will soon inherit. Son of a "weaver's brat," the family expected a loutish country bumpkin -- and that is exactly who sat down to dinner that first evening. His Yorkshire accent was so thick it could be cut with a knife.

The book floats along on a river of misconceptions about the Heyero, who uses the family's own snobbery to learn more about them than they learn of him. This doesn't bother me. Heyer has gone this route before and her humor shines through. Such as in the scene between to the two valets Crimplesham and Polyphant. But the best scene of all is the final act, in which she describes in detail, sometimes hilarious, how Hugo saves a member of the family after he is shot by troopers trying to catch a band of smugglers. I read this book always in anticipation of this scene.

With a simple plot and a lot of embroidery to fancy it up, The Unknown Ajax is as much about Heyer's Regency world as it is the romance of Hugo and Anthea.

Four stars because the book is so subtle and delightful. It's not about the getting there as quickly as you can but about enjoying the scenery along the way.