Oh, the Wicked Baron: byword of the neighborhood. Subject of scandal and gossip and warnings to the local young ladies to take care when he is at home. Fortunately, Lord Damerel is rarely at home. So when Venetia decides to gather some berries, she is not worried about any unwanted encounters is she trespasses on Damerel's land. Dressed in a shabby old gown and wearing a sun sunbonnet and carrying her basket, accompanied only by her pet dog, Flurry, it not surprising that the Wicked Baron mistakes her for a farmer's daughter and not a member of the English nobility. And so he takes liberties with her that he might not, maybe, take with a woman of his own social class. Not to worry though, Flurry flies to her rescue only to be commanded to sit by Damerel. But when Venetia quotes Shakespeare to him, Damerel quickly realizes he has made a mistake: "Who are you? I took you for a village maiden—probably one of my tenants." Venetia responds, "Did you indeed? Well, if that is the way you mean to conduct yourself amongst the village maidens you won't win much liking here!" To which he fires back, "No, no, the danger is that I might win too much!" And so begins the courtship of two of Heyer's most appealing characters, the black sheep Damerel and the innocent but bold maiden Venetia.
I really like this story. It is not a lively read and there are no thrilling scenes, no runaway romances, no duels at dawn. Just two adults falling in love, despite the obstacles Venetia's well-meaning friends and family members put the way.
Review by Austenprose.
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