Bedfordshire, England, 1822

When Lady Phoebe's mother died and her stepfather appropriated all their inheritance, Phoebe, her sister Ava, and Cousin Greer concocted a scheme to earn funds enough to pay for their come-outs. Using the material from their mother's extensive wardrobe, they fashioned the latest styles and sold them through a Mrs. Ramsey. Now that Ava and Greer have married supremely well, there is no need for Phoebe to continue with the scheme. But the fictitious Madame Dupree is enormously popular with the ladies of the ton, and Mrs. Ramsey is loath to give up the income. She blackmails Phoebe into taking a commission in Bedfordshire to dress the daughters of the Earl of Bedford. Their brother, Viscount Summerfield, is willing to shell out £2,000.

The viscount, William Darby, left England six years ago at two and twenty to make the Grand Tour. He enjoyed traveling so much, he quit Europe to see more of the world. He'd be adventuring still had he not received a letter stating his father was left paralyzed by an apoplexy and Will is badly needed at home. He's appalled at what he finds when he finally arrives at Wentworth Hall. The place is a shambles, his brothers and sisters are as wild as animals, and his father cannot move or speak. It seems no one but Will, the heir, can have access to the family fortune.

When Phoebe arrives at Wentworth Hall, she's dismayed at the treatment she receives. She's shunted to a shabby and dirty set of rooms on the third floor and told cleaning materials would be sent up. The girls, Ladies Alice and Jane, are ungracious, unruly, and condescending hoydens. Lady Alice is especially rude; she's in love with the blacksmith's apprentice and resents Will's curtailing of her freedom. This episode really opens Phoebe's eyes to life as a servant.

Will's problems with his brothers are equally frustrating, particularly with Joshua, whose resentment of Will sends him to drink, women, and gambling. If restoring the hall and dealing with his siblings aren't troubling enough, his father's last letter asked him to come home to find a wife and give him a grandchild. How can he not comply with the earl's last request? The one highpoint for Will is the entrance of the beautiful Madame Dupree. She's too far beneath him for marriage, but as a widow . . .

What an unusual hero is Will! Overburdened with troubles at home, the target of every mother, father, or aunt with a single relative to marry off, he means well all around, but he doesn't have a clue. He doesn't believe in taking advantage of those in his employ, but the temptation is overwhelming. Not only is Madame Dupree beautiful, but he can talk to her and get intelligent replies. She's the only one interested in his travels; others think him strange, and even heathen. There is a lovely scene between them and a small herd of wild horses who visit the estate.

THE DANGERS OF DECEIVING A VISCOUNT is mainly about people, their personalities, what drives them, their aspirations. In modern terms, we'd describe Alice and Joshua as acting out on their frustrations, and even understanding that, it's not always easy being sympathetic toward them. Not so with Phoebe and Will. Our hearts must go out to the earl, too. In addition to the moving family troubles, Will's amusing bride hunt, and the growing relationship between our hero and heroine, the plot contains plenty of suspense. Will they or won't they? Will Phoebe's masquerade be discovered? If so, will Will hate her for the deception?

THE DANGERS OF DECEIVING A VISCOUNT is captivating, fun, emotional and passionate. It concludes the Desperate Debutantes trilogy that includes Ava's tale, THE HAZARDS OF HUNTING A DUKE, and Greer's story, THE PERILS OF PURSUING A PRINCE -- all guaranteed captivating reads.

Jane Bowers