The short tale of how Wickham prevented bloodshed between Willoughby and Colonel Brandon in hopes of ingratiating himself with Willoughby. I hate Wickham with a burning passion, but his villainy comes across as almost charming here. It's so unapologetic and irrepressible. And, unlike many spin-offs of Austen, Carpenter gets the dialog and social rules of the period right on the money. ( )

Reading this instantly took me back to the days in which, even though it was frowned upon by many, dueling was the number one method of solving disputes. I have long enjoyed reading stories that revolve around this particular era of history, and I found this story very enjoyable. ( )

There have been a great many follow-up books to Jane Austen's work recently, ranging from the very good to the frankly badly written pornography. This one features characters from two of her books, George Wickham from Pride and Prejudice, and Mr Willoughby and Col Brandon from Sense and Sensibility. So far so good. I just wish the writer had done a little research, if only as far as reading a couple of the Regency romances of the splendid Georgette Heyer. In her meticulously researched books Almacks is a central location, and, far from being a gentlemen's gaming and drinking club, was run by the patronesses, stiff-necked matrons at the top of society, whose approbation was the entry to the top of the ton. To be refused vouchers to Almacks was social suicide. Strict dress codes, strict timings, tea to drink and no gambling. Perhaps a little gentle whist. The description of the duel is a bit hit and miss. As far as I can ascertain the paces were not marked out by the seconds, but by the protagonists, starting back to back and pacing off before turning and firing. A breakfast of fried eggs, sausages, and baked beans? Breakfast for the gentry consisted of slices of rare beef and ham. Baked beans were surely an American invention, and certainly hadn't reached English shores by that time. For someone reading this work without any prior knowledge, an interesting concept. For someone who has, the inaccuracies grate too much. A shame, because it is a good idea. ( )