A sticky situation

Truths Universally Acknowledged

Molly and Emma discuss episode 11 of The Courtship and make their final predictions for the suitor who will ultimately win Nicole's heart. In this episode, one suitor proves himself a true Wickham while another pulls a Mr. Darcy move for the ages. Also of interest: 19th century estate management and the romanticization thereof, the dying gasps of the feudal system, more references to Downton Abbey, rising tensions between handsome men, Molly's healthy fear of and respect for bees, thoughts on goat milking techniques, more praise for the incredible Mrs. Danie Baker, and what happens in the gentleman's parlor does not in fact stay in the gentleman's parlor. Find us on Twitter @truthsunipod @chingonacademic @mjkeran. ****** Romance novels that deal with estate management, agricultural work, and/or tenant relations (a list made with generous help from Molly's friend and fellow book club member Adelaide--thanks!): The Rake by Mary Jo Putney; A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant; The Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas (in fact, many of the books in Kleypas's Ravenels series deal with estate management, the decline of the landowner class, and rise of the industrialist class); Band Sinister by KJ Charles; The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan. A few more not mentioned on the show: In for a Penny by Rose Lerner; The Duke Undone by Joanna Lowell; The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt; Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas. (Fun fact: Estate management is also a central subject/conflict of the romance novel that Molly is currently writing!)