Venetia Part II

Venetia does not know much about rakes or life in general other than what she has read, since she has not been out in Society. She is surprised that Damerel is not young or handsome, but he has this reputation as a womaniser. Lady Denny visits her and tells her she is shocked that her own husband, Sir John brought Damerel home to tea, when he met him, and she does not want her own daughters who are very young, to meet someone with his reputation. Venetia has been thinking, in recent months what she will do when her brother sell out of the army, which he will probalby do soon. He is pleasant but selfish, and he has been flirting with Clara, the oldest Denny daughter. Venetia feels that she and Aubrey would be happier if they moved out of the house when he gets married, and she thinks that the only way she can do that is by getting married herself. She has 2 suitors, Oswald Denny, Clara's brother who is rather too young for her, and Edward her father's godson, who is a good man but very stuffy and dull. Soon after the kissing incident, Aubrey goes out riding and has a fall. In spite of his bad hip and limp, he likes fishing and riding, but he hurts his hip and cant get up. Damerel finds him on his land and takes him home to nurse him. His nurse, Mrs Priddy goes to His house to help with the nursing and Venetia visits regularly, and she and Damerel become close to each other. She and Aubrey both find him congenial, he likes reading and has been to Greece and Italy.. and seen the places that Aubrey longs to see. Damerel is very attracted to Venetia.. which is unusual for him as he does not usually try to seduce well born single women......