I haven't re-read Venetia in years, but it was one of my favorites, also -- I remember Venetia kidding her brother over the breakfast table about how understandable Medea's actions had been, and no doubt she'd had ample provocation for killing her brother. And I loved that Venetia was determined that Damerel should strew rose petals for no other woman than herself. I'll have to re-read for the Spike comparison, now.