A nit-picky correction... the word "okay," did not come into common usage even where it was invented in America until the 1850's. Although there are some examples of the word in the US in the 1830's, it would not have been in use in Australia in the early 1830's. Even after it did come into existence, it was considered low-class and vulgar for a long time. So chances are pretty good that Annabelle either wouldn't have known it at all, or wouldn't have used it in polite conversation with her father.
Other than that, I really like the story, and am looking forward to seeing where it goes.

See, Catherine gave them a wedding gift after all: her absence.

Most of this story is entirely plausible, but something in this chapter bothers me: Why would Robert believe the Duchess of Cantebury? He is fully aware that she wants him to marry her daughter, just as he has seen the matron's character in the past. So why would he place any credence on her words? My apologies, but that doesn't work.

Thankfully the truth is out and the Duchess' lies, as well as those of her minions, have been exposed.

The Duchess and her two little minions seems to have no compunction against lies if it serves her purposes.

Robert should know better than to believe anything that Catherine has to say. He should speak with his parents, sounding them out before jumping to conclusions.

Ahh, she finally said what she wanted to say. Of course, coming from her provincial lips the words can have no impact on Agnes' upper-crust ears... or her weak mind.

The last scene was great, though it will probably spur Catherine and Agnes on to take revenge.

Poor Annabelle. She belongs in Australia where she can reach her full potential and live free, not penned up in England where women are expected to be beautiful statues.

Enter the man... and trouble for poor Annabelle's heart. The fact that he is eligible, titled and rich will only make the other young ladies, and their mothers, even more dismissive of Annabelle; especially if they sense that he has an interest in her.

Cattiness knows no class in society, though some upper-class women pull it off better than any others. This is probably the most true when they have no character to fall back on, so that all that they have in their empty existence is their rank in society.

The parents seem nice and well-mannered, so why have they allowed their youngest to turn into such a brat?

It is interesting how the standards for beauty and perfection in a woman have changed over time. Nowadays, Annabelle's tan would probably be envied, especially when compared to a pasty-white English complexion.

It is good that he learned to accept and love his daughter. Tell me though: At this time wasn't there quite a grouping of "society" there in Australia, particularly in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong? Wouldn't it have been better to let her meet eligible men there, in the land she loved?

I wonder how many times in history a parent has neglected or ignored his/her child after the loss of a spouse. Grief can be crippling, but responsibility is still there. Hopefully Edward will wake up to this.

There is one problem with their "little talk" - Annabelle has spent her life on a ranch. No farmer's kid or rancher's kid goes very long without discovering the facts-of-life on his/her own. You have already written that her father allowed her free reign, so there is little chance that she wouldn't have been exposed to amorous animals by the age of 15.

It was cute, though. Imagine waiting until the day of the wedding to pass on such crucial information.