Seconding the fun read vote. This is the period when PG Wodehouse got started, so the words read very like his stuff except THIS writer is serious about it. A splash of post WWI politics, man gone wrong redeemed by love of a decent (titled) woman, etc. A few plot holes, but it's all about adventure and romance, so you'll get past those OK. The title is not really accurate but the plot is fun to follow.
Post-finishing the book: VERY VERY like Mitford. Unto the very last words!
In the first pages, at This reminds me very much of the Mitford books by Jan Karon, with the same sort of goings on, but through the eyes of some unnamed local person who speaks for the majority. The community's mores (morality) and values are much the same. Perhaps a desire to read this sort of gentle book inspired Ms. Karon to write the Mitford stories.
I cannot believe that this is here for free on the internet. Annie was one of the great teachers - and this book is a bridge of east to west and west to east. For truth seekers.