This is one of the first Heyer novels I ever read, it is set after the Battle of Waterloo, and is a "road" book, like Sprig Muslin.
The hero is one of Heyer's quiet gentle shy heroes, a little bit like Adam Deveril, who seems to be too nice for his own good. Adolphus Gillespie Ware, Duke of Sale, is 24, when the story opens, and he is born to great wealth and high rank. His father, the late Duke, died before he was born, and "Gilly" was a sickly child, whose infant brothers and sisters had all died. His mother died at his birth, so he was in the care of his uncle, Lord Lionel Ware, who is a much more aggressive man than his nephew.
Lionel worries about him and he and his wife who are in loco parentis, fuss over Gilly, refuse to send him to school and generally cosset him. His best friend is Gideon, his cousin, who is aggressive and tougher than Gilly, but the 2 of them are fond of each other.
Gilly learns that Lord Lionel thinks that now, he is almost 25 and fully of age it is time for him to get married. He knows that his uncle has had a young lady, Harriet Presteigne, in mind for him for quite a while, but he is surprised and shaken when he's told that he really must propose to the girl.. that she's been expecting it for a while. He is fond of Harriet but has never been in love and wishes that he could choose a wife for himself. He realises though that he can't stand up to Lord Lionel and he sets out for London to see Harriet and propose.
In London, Harriet says yes to him, and he feels a little trapped.
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