The Grand Sophy and Sylvester were two of favourites that I read and reread til they fell apart. My favourite scenes from both of them involved the man being inspired to behave in extreme ways - Charles firing the gun in the house and then being all sheepish, and OMG Sylvester insisting she dance with him and then abandoning her on the dance floor, face white with rage, and made ridiculous. SO MUCH LOVE. Also, unphased by ducklings!