It was interesting to see how Zoe's disappearance had affected both her and Lucien, though he does not realize/admit it 'til much later.
She clearly longs for her own life, both as an Englishwoman and a free woman, and has worked hard and risked much to get that life back, but also embraces all that she has learned during her captivity. She is such a strong character while still being a woman of her own time.
And she knows how to deal with eunuchs who, as we all know, can be so temperamental.