2022 romantic fantasy novella. In 1882, Arthur has been posted as an
aide to the British Viceroy in Calcutta; Melusina is a warding
specialist whose services have been called on.
This is probably the least perilous of the Lake stories I've read
so far; yes, there is possibly someone trying to steal confidential
information from the Viceroy, but if anything is a hazard here it's
the ease with which a lady can lose her reputation (and a gentleman
similarly, or at least be thought "not quite sound" so that he doesn't
get further promotions).
So mostly what we get is a very strong picture of British India, both
the strait-laced everything-foreign-is-bad types and the ones who try
to learn something about the people they're governing. (And Lord
Ripon, the Viceroy at this date, is definitely more of the latter
school, historically as well as in this setting.)
As for the romance, it's mostly a matter of each of them finding that
the other is not quite a fit for the standard template of their sex
and class, but that they may be a good fit for each other. (Also
they're the parents of Roland in Carry On.)
A pleasing diversion, if little more.
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