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.

Book Summary

A Mischievous Charade . . .

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?