Exactly how steamy is this story?
R
Compared to modern media, Pamela is reasonably tame, and its references to sex aren't very explicit or racy. (Unless you find the idea of a man dressing up as a drunk servant to rape a girl titillating, in which case … we are concerned for you.)
However, in the first half of the novel, Mr. B repeatedly attempts to rape and sexually assault Pamela, committing acts that combine sexual situations and violence. Therefore, we've given it an R rating. Minors, avert your eyes.