There was some decorous page-turning and it wasn't absolutely perfect (it's four and a half stars basically because it made me laugh and smile and squeal and I was having such a bad week and I needed to have some fluffy hope) but... 
 * Commentary on colonialism! 
 * Respectfully done MoC - Indian - and a realistic portrayal of the prejudice and racism he would face in the time period! And he's a lawyer! And handsome! 
 * Independent women who don't bend to an abusive man's will! 
 Seriously. That last one. I'm tired of period romances where the guy stonewalls the girl or sneers at her and she ends up melting all over him.