Very well written - to sustain interest in such a 'dull' protagonist takes skill. Afterwards I was left feeling more judgemental towards the era and its restrictions and prejudices, than ill feeling towards the flawed Van Tassel. I did not feel that he was madly in love as some other readers have, rather that for all involved it was more a case of latching on to whatever came your way. Van Tassel was not spoilt for choice. Having agreed to marriage, and from what we are told, Van Tassel being a caring husband and enthusiastic father, Etna's deceit enabled me to feel some sympathy for Nicholas. Etna was a shadow figure - more a representation of a repressed gender than a fully formed character - but that is exactly what she was to her unfortunate husband.
Good show Anita! Can't wait for more.