A Taste for Scandal

August 25, 2014
Knightley (More than a Stranger) presents an unconventional light romance with a strong cast of characters but no villains to speak of. Richard Moore, the Earl of Raleigh, boldly tries to save baker Jane Bunting from a ruffianâbut the man is Jane's cousin. She thinks the earl is attacking him and hollers for his arrest. The confusion is soon sorted out, and after Jane apologizes for her overreaction and Richard for the damages he's caused, a tentative friendship is forged. Jane shows Richard how sheltered he is as he watches her work hard to keep her shop and secure her brother's future. Richard, who is used to the simpering ladies of the ballroom, is intrigued by Jane and sets out to win her over with teasing. Holding their own as co-stars are the other women in Richard's life: his sisters, his mother, and the young woman his family hopes he marries. His merry, sneaky sister Beatrice has a heart of gold and makes the perfect fairy godmother in this Cinderella story. Family dynamics and loyalty propel the narrative forward. Much like the pastries that play a prominent role in the Richard's courtship of Jane, this romance is rich, savory, and warm.