Red as a Rose is She by Rhoda Broughton (1870)

This is the first post beyond Broughton's inauguration, whose two books were so varied. In this, she settles for what may end up being her trademarks - a kind of youthful cheekiness, 1870s-style, which looks in the context of today like deeply conservative, almost classical elegance; and a tendency toward the celebration of the tragedy of death, a Victorian trait, which seems to act like an anchor, balancing her exuberance. Esther Craven is her young heroine here. She is spirited and intense, a poor yeoman farmer's sister, capable of being led astray minimally, but strong of mind. Her opportunities are typically limited by both her financial state and her gender. She is hounded into a partial promise to her farmer brother's friend 'next door', but feels trapped by it. On a visit to wealthy connections she meets huntin' shootin' fishin' St John Gerard, the heir to an estate, whose somewhat wily charms eventually capture her; she is also capable of refining him, to his surprise. Of course, propriety says that her prior agreement must be adhered to, but it was pretty conditional and she feels justified in herself in exploring the promise St John holds out. Unfortunately, when all is revealed, he doesn't feel the same, virtually accuses her of monstrous flirting, and she flees mortified at the pounding her reputation may suffer. The pretext for her fleeing is the illness of her beloved brother; he passes away. Esther is heartbroken, and also left without any means of support - as a typical Victorian girl, she has no means, or indeed the requisite knowledge, to continue the farm. In a slough of despond, it is sold, and Esther takes the only step she can in her situation - she becomes a companion to a wealthy, sleepy old couple on a rundown estate. The niece of these two is a former acquaintance who has had her beautiful but insipid eye on St John. On the rebound from Esther he has agreed reluctantly to marry her. Of course the niece visits her aunt and uncle and, unintentionally, Esther. Of course, St John comes to visit, too. And the rest is history, though there are some serious bumps on the road, and all is not settled until the very last chapter. Which, for Broughton, is saying something - this is her first conventionally happy ending; though she can't resist including in the last paragraphs the sad end of Esther's former affianced, who has died of a tropical fever in Bermuda with the armed forces, loyal to the last. The bounce of Broughton's cheekiness, from an 1870s point of view, is her significant charm. It will be interesting to watch what happens to it, if anything, as she ages and her career progresses.