Universally Acknowledged

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a person in possession of a good fortune-and a rocketship as well-must be in want of a partner.

Oswald "Ozzy" Benedict is the second son of a gem-digging family in the harsh volcanic landscape of a colony planet. When a group of fancy folks from the orbiting space station visit the area to hunt giant beetles for sport, Ozzy's mother and four brothers-to say nothing of the neighbourhood-are aflutter with the prospect of lucrative liaisons.

As Ozzy's older brother Zane falls for the immensely rich Miss Karla Bing, his own dislike of Karla's snobbish best friend Darcie increases with every awkward social encounter. He can't seem to avoid her-at community festivals, an undersea city, even on Avenir station itself.

Just when Ozzy starts to think Darcie's company might be tolerable, the youngest Benedict brother runs away with a rumoured ally of infamous space pirates. Darcie abruptly takes her leave when she hears of the affair, and Ozzy realises he might never see her again.

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