The minister's daughter finds trouble before she ever arrives in London.
On her way to finding a suitable marriage under the sponsorship of a society matron, Arabella's carriage breaks down. The copyright on this gem is 1949, so she is not seduced or mauled or even assaulted. Instead, she dines with an unwilling host (Beaumaris) who assumes she is seeking entrance into his circle. Provoked by his overheard assumptions, she tells a little white lie that consequently colors the rest of the season.
"Alas!" said Araqbella, "I am fabulously wealthy! It is the greatest mortification to me! You can have no notion!"
The previously disdainful Mr. Beaumaris is amused. The adventures that unfold are hilarious as Arabella can't behave as a blase society female. The injustices and inequities of life, whether inflicted on a "climbing boy" or a mutt capture her attention.
I found this both hilarious and touching. A great guilt-fee romance. My intelligence was not insulted; my funny bone was tickled. As usual with Heyer, the complex characterizations enhance the whole parade of humanity throughout the book.
