Society is suspicious of the unmarried.
The Ornamental Hermit is the story of a society girl with social anxiety, set against the backdrop of 18th-century landscape gardening.
Staying in her room and painting was artist Georgiana’s plan, together with despondency, lack of appetite, insomnia, irritability and precision hiding. Suitors will stay away. Artists will art. “Why spend hours skittering after some husband to make him sandwiches when I have things to accomplish? Dear God, let me remain suspiciously single.”
When a Landscape Improver and his odoriferous Ornamental Hermit are sent by her cousin, Georgiana goes into fight mode to save her estate from callous and complaining Cousin Wimbley. Standing in the way of tranquil hiding are: Georgiana’s mother and sister, who insist on her marrying so they may evade ruin; the ineligible Landscape Improver who is not only an impossible choice for marriage, there are fireworks whenever he and Georgiana are together; and Georgiana’s career ambitions in a society that is suspicious of the unmarried.
