When romantic entanglements once again threaten Blandings Castle it's up to the Honourable Galahad Threepwood to sort them out. The honourable Galahad Threepwood must untangle the romantic and financial problems that have descended on Blandings Castle.
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Blandings Castle is busy as usual. As well as it's absent minded owner Lord Emsworth, it contains his sister, Lady Hermione Wedge, her husband, Colonel Egbert Wedge, and their daughter Veronica. And Lord Emsworth is horrified to learn of 1 more guest; his youngest son Freddie Threepwood, who lives in America with his wife but is now back in the country on a visit to try and sell Donaldson's Dog biscuits. Freddie is coming to Blandings with his friend Tipton Plimsoll, a very wealthy young man whom the Wedge's would like Veronica to marry.
Prudence Garland, another of Lord Emsworth's nieces (daughter of his sister Dora) meets Freddie in London and she informs him that she is engaged to his old friend Bill Lister, whom she loves despite his gorilla-like face. The pair plan to elope to avoid the disapproval of Prudence's family.
Tipton Plimsoll is coming to Blandings with Freddie to rest his nerves after seeing the face of Bill Lister whilst drunk, which he believed to be a terrifying hallucination. Freddie is keen to get Plimsoll to come to Blandings to sweet talk him into buying Donaldson's dog biscuits for his chain of stores.
Later, Freddie goes to act as witness at Bill and Prudence's wedding, but Prudence does not arrive. Her mother learned about the relationship and has sent Prudence away to the safety of Blandings Castle. Freddie and Bill turn to Freddie's Uncle, the Honourable Galahad Threepwood for advice. Galahad secures Bill, who is a keen painter, the job of painting a portrait of Lord Emsworth's treasured pig, The Empress of Blandings, thus getting him into the Castle under an assumed name. He and Prudence will easily be able to sneak away and marry.
Tipton arrives at Blandings and, to the delight of the Wedges, he and Veronica hit it off. The romance hits a snag however when Tipton learns from Lord Emsworth that Veronica had once been engaged to Freddie, and even though Freddie is married Tipton is still worried and has a drink. Unfortunately the next person he sees is Bill Lister, whom he once again assumes to be an alcohol-induced apparition. He swears off drink.
Bill's attempt to paint the Empress goes badly and he quarrels with Lord Emsworth, denying him access to Blandings. A quick call to Galahad produces a fresh plan; Bill can enter the Castle as a new gardener wearing a false beard.
The Wedge's ask Prudence to talk to Tipton about proposing to Veronica and she tells him that Veronica has no interest in Freddie. Pausing only for a quick drink to make talking to Veronica easier, Tipton hastens off, but sees another horrifying face, this time with a beard and once again really Bill. Tipton hurries away. Bill also accidentally terrifies Veronica and mistakes Hermione Wedge for a cook, blowing yet another cover.
Galahad arrives from London for Veronica's birthday. Even if they can get together, Prudence and Bill will require money to marry. Prudence thinks Lord Emsworth might provide it but Bill has upset him. However, Galahad assures Bill that the absent-minded peer will not remember Bill and once again introduces him to the castle as an artist come to paint the Empress.
Galahad helps Tipton overcome his difficulty proposing to Veronica by hiding the Empress in Veronica's room so Tipton can rescue her. He does so and they get engaged. In his happiness, Tipton also agrees to buy Donaldson's dog biscuits from Freddie.
Bill is unlucky once more when Freddie accidentally reveals his identity to Lady Hermione who orders him out of the Castle. Then Tipton's jealousy resurfaces when Veronica receives an expensive necklace from Freddie for her birthday. The necklace was intended for Freddie's wife but Lord Emsworth mixed up the parcels. Galahad defuses this by telling Tipton that the necklace is a worthless fake but this leads to Tipton giving it to Prudence for the church jumble sale.
Freddie insists that if his wife's necklace is not returned he will tell Tipton the truth, losing the Wedge's their ideal son-in-law. Galahad turns a negative into a positive telling Prudence to not return the necklace unless she and Bill are given permission to marry.
Eager to see Prudence, Bill climbs a ladder to reach her room but is spotted by Colonel Wedge who mistakes him for a burglar. This forces Bill to escape down a drainpipe but he is found by one of the servants and Colonel Wedge, armed with a revolver. Fortunately Galahad vouches for him.
Galahad now blackmails lady Hermione as planned so Bill and Prudence will be able to marry . He also blackmails Lord Emsworth, telling him that unless Freddie gets the necklace back there is a danger of him getting divorced and moving home. Lord Emsworth gives Bill and Prudence the money they need to marry.
The sixth Blandings book re-introduces the Honourable Galahad Threepwood. Although 'Gally' is barely featured through the first half of the novel he is still a distant and potent presence with everyone turning to him for advice. This book also give Freddie Threepwood one of his largest roles in the series.
Best part of story, including ending:
Despite the story's apparent complexity it is very easy to understand and endlessly funny to read.
Best scene in story:
Bill Lister attempting to see Prudence is trapped on a balcony, and his only chance of help is from a man who thinks he is a drunken hallucination. It's a very funny scene.
Opinion about the main character:
The Honourable Galahad Threepwood is one of Wodehouse's best 'fix-it' men, never stuck for a plan no matter how ridiculous that plan may be.
