At an impromptu costume ball Harriet, the Duchess of
Berrow, comes to the realization that a drastic change is
needed in her life. Young widows should masquerade as
dangerous women or evil women not as old Mother Goose. What
had she been thinking? Ever since her husband's suicide,
women and men have kept her at arm's length, and Harriet is
tired of it. She complains to her few friends and an idea
is born. Harriet will attend Lord Strange's wicked house
party as a young man accompanying the Duke of Villiers. The
lark promises to break the tedious boredom that envelopes
Harriet.
One look at Mr. Harry Cope and Jem (Lord Strange) believes
him too innocent to participate in the upcoming Feast of
Venus. Usually Jem ignores his houseguests as he designs
and researches projects that interest him. The ordinary
bores him but the out-of-the-ordinary catches his attention
and imagination. Villiers asks Jem to look after Harry and
keep him out of trouble. To Jem's surprise, he enjoys
teaching Harry how to be a man. Jem is drawn to Harry, but
he cannot put his finger on exactly what it is that makes
Harry so appealing.
For the first time in her life, Harriet is the center of
attention. She loves it. The comfort of the masculine dress
and the freedom it entails give her confidence. Harriet
learns of her own self-worth, but she needs to tell Jem her
secret. Will he accept her deception, or will he hate her
for lying and accuse her of making a fool of him?
Popular storyteller Eloisa James continues her
Desperate Duchesses series with a story dedicated to
Georgette Heyer and her funny cross-dressing
heroines. With a nod to Ms. Heyer, Ms. James creates
circumstances in which Harry finds herself in hilarious and
endearing situations. Set in the Georgian era, Ms. James'
meticulous research shines as she captures the promiscuous
morals and the casual ways games are played to settle
important business.
Harriet, Duchess of
Berrow, is tired of her title and the responsibilities that
come along with it. Enough with proper tea parties and
elegant balls; what Harriet really wants is to attend an
outrageous soiree where she can unleash her wildest whims
and desires. But to attend such an event—especially if the
event in question is Lord Justinian Strange's rollicking
fete, filled with noble rogues and rotters, risqué ladies
and illicit lovers—would be certain scandal. That's why she
must disguise herself . . .
Looking forward to a
night of uninhibited pleasure, Lord Strange is shocked to
discover that beneath the clothes of a no-good rake is the
most beautiful woman in the room. Why is a woman like her
risking her reputation at his notorious affair? And can he
possibly entice her to stay . . . forever?
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