Cast aside any notions you might have for a sensible plot. The young heroine governess departs for a tour of Europe down to Venice and has both her nubile charges seduced and married off beofre she turns up in Venice. Not bad for the first Chapter.. Now the idea that three young women would traipse through Europe in 1785 unaccompanied by a man might seem to most readers to be more than a little far-fetched. That the first daughter is seduced and wed in Paris does not seem a reason enough to abort the trip to Venice despite Paris's proximity to the ducal mansion in Kent. No our intrepid Governess journeys on to Rome where the other daughter is seduced and married. So by herself she continues to Venice for a few months before the daughters arrive with their husbands for Carnivale. Given Carnivales' reputation it seems a bit unlikely for three ladies to be sent to Venice to be there - but on reflection it would appera those young ladies would fit right in. Satisfyingly the author did get Carnivale in the correct month for 1785.

SO provided you swallow this unlikely set of circumstances the rest of the book is adequate ... obviously the ouraged Duke when he arrives will fall in love with the Governess and the evil Italian lecherer will get his comeuppance. ( )