I started to read this book with avid interest. I was really touched by young Peter's memory of his mother, and I loved the story behind the stained glass window. Some of the characters are a trifle wacky, but I put up with that until the end, when the answers to everything come out. Suddenly all the characters begin acting silly and nasty over nothing! Frumpy Emma bullies and yells at her host, and Kate Cole develops a sharp tongue towards not only the Duke but her mother as well. Kate must've been starting her period and Emma going through the change. And the Duke is SO meek towards these nasty women! Maybe Atherton wanted to cut through the over-sweet atmosphere of the book with this disagreement, but it just didn't make sense to me. It ruined the whole book for me. I am glad now that Nancy Atherton sticks to Lori Shepherd. At least her anger at something or someone makes some sense. Read Aunt Dimity And the Next of Kin to see what I mean. The Duke SHOULD have thrown Emma out!