Agitated and angry that Anya should hold such sway over his sister, Darcy summons her to the balcony. In biting words he denounces her, whereupon she slaps him hard across the face. 'The one advantage of my sex is the freedom to strike a man with impunity." But the enmity between them is superficial and cannot long endure. Later that night, Darcy will abandon all propriety and come close to ravishing the beautiful young woman. An Englishman of wealth and status could never compromise his social position by marrying a woman with a scandalous past. Darcy must have Anya the only way possible. When he is certain she loves him, he asks her to accept his offer. However, the friendship between Anya and Darcy's sister complicates the matter. 'What of Georgiana? Will you allow your sister to visit your mistress?"
The appearance of a rival forces a decision, and Darcy takes Anya as his wife. Finally, this willful woman must submit to him. Without doubt, the marriage will prove to be as tempestuous as the courtship.