Caroline Penvenen

Caroline Penvenen arrives in Cornwall as an heiress with money enough to do exactly as she pleases, and she pleases herself. Sharp-tongued, restless, and openly bored by the manners expected of her, she takes an interest in Dwight Enys that starts as flirtation and provocation before it becomes something she has to take seriously.

Gabriella Wilde plays her with a glinting, needling wit that keeps her from ever sliding into simple romantic-heroine territory — Caroline teases, contradicts, and refuses to be managed by anyone, including the men who assume they can charm her. The writing gives her independence and money as real leverage, and she uses both without apology.