Because of inheritance law, Major Hugh Darracott is now the heir of the Darracott home in The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer (published 1959), even though his domineering grandfather Lord Darracott has never met him. After the recent death of his oldest son and oldest grandson, now Lord Darracott must invite this unknown grandson into his circle. Lord Darracott had cut communication with his second child when his son had married a weaver’s daughter. Now he assumes that this Yorkshire-raised young man knowns nothing about living the life of a Lord on a grand estate, especially since he is an army Major. Lord Darracott enlists the help of his other grandsons (Vincent, Claud, and young Richmond) in order to teach this army man into the proper type of life befitting such an esteemed heir. Plus, grandfather thinks it would help if Hugh would marry his favorite granddaughter Anthea.
The Unknown Ajax is full of hilarious characters, from the crotchety old Lord Darracott to his granddaughter Anthea who won’t put up with her grandfather’s crabbiness. The others in the house always do what he wants in order to keep the peace, but Anthea has no problem speaking her mind. Meanwhile, Anthea’s cousins Vincent and Claud (who often argue with each other) are shocked to think their cousin is from Yorkshire and bitterly anticipate the need to teach the young man proper gentlemanly manners. Finally, I simply love Hugo Darracott himself because his clever ways bring hilarity to the entire situation. As can be supposed, he is not quite what they think he is. The reader will long remember the personality inside this very tall and majestic Major.
Hugo does speak with a backwoods Yorkie accent (sometimes) and is slow to understand the ways of the Darracott family (it seems). Anthea and a few others know better, although Anthea refuses to be drawn into a relationship with him as her grandfather wishes. Hugo does a lot of observing and quickly finds out 18-year-old Richmond’s secret. Over-the-top want-to-be dandy Claud gets himself into trouble too, and even Vincent gets drawn into the family misfortunes, but Hugo figures out how to bring respectability into what could have been a disastrous situation for the family. The novel is capped by a hilarious end scene. Now, finally, Hugo gains the respect from the family that he deserves as the truly smart and polished young man that he is.
This book introduces some new-to-me Recency era issues, most particularly illegal trade with France and Customs officials. Also, The Unknown Ajax is light on the falling-in-love scenes sometimes in other Regency Heyer books. In the book Anthea and Hugo really appear as friends, and romance seems a sidebar to the humorous assumptions and prejudices of the family as Hugo true personality is revealed. The funny scenes — especially the end — make this a highly satisfying read.
