Lady Roberta St. Giles travels to London and throws herself on the mercy of a distant relative because she wants to marry Lord Villiers. Lady Roberta's father is known as the "Mad Marquess" because of his poetry and unacceptable lifestyle. Jemma, Lady Roberta's distant cousin is married to the Duke of Beaumont but has been living the high-life in Paris for several years before returning home. Jemma's brother, the Earl of Gryffyn, lives with them with his illegitimate son. The whole situation is abhorrent to the Duke, who is very involved with Prime Minister Pitt.
Into this situation, Roberta is determined to win the hand of Lord Villiers and the Earl of Gryffyn is determined to win the hand of Lady Roberta. The book is a good example of the times, just post-American revolution when powdered wigs, beauty marks and lovers were the norm among the ton. It makes me glad that I didn't live in Europe at that time (I think that America was not as decadant as Europe). The stories of the people were believable if you can put yourself in the time. I didn't care for all the game-playing and the mincing the people did but the author was true to the times. I give the book an A-.
