Lady Madeliene Vaillant adores her cousin Amelia and friend Prudence, but those two have dreams that are possible to explore (using a little native caution) without risking censure from the ton. Madeline's dreams are more challenging. She longs for the stage, and any well-bred lady caught tripping the boards in a Seven Dials theater is certain to lose not only her status, but also destroy the reputations of all who know her. Still, even her advanced age of twenty-eight is no protection from the requirements of polite society. She must somehow live her dream of being on the stage in the next two weeks while maintaining the facade of respectability required by her position.

William "Ferguson" Avenel is pulled from distant Scotland when his despised father and insane elder brother die in the most scandalous manner possible. If he had his druthers he'd be back in Scotland and the dukedom could go to the devil but that would leave his youngest sisters with no future. He is determined to find the most upright, irreproachable woman in London to chaperone the twins until he can marry them off. Lady Madeleine seems to fit his requirements beautifully despite his attraction to her. He'll simply have to ignore his own base nature and leave her unravished until he can flee his responsibilities once more.

Sara Ramsey opens her first book in the Muses of Mayfair series with an unusually complex storyline and handles the resulting intertwining (and vastly entertaining) plot twists with superb skill. I particularly appreciated the heroine's ability to see through what should be the perfect romantic hero to his major character flaw and call him on it, refusing to settle for the standard 'happily- ever-after' until he can become the man she knows he should be. HEIRESS WITHOUT A CAUSE is followed by Scotsmen Prefer Blondes (published in April, 2012) and then The Marquess Who Loved Me which is upcoming.

Book Summary

One title to change his life...

A disgraced son with a dark reputation, William “Ferguson” Avenel is content to live in exile – until his father dies in the scandal of the Season. With rumors of insanity swirling around them, his sisters desperately need a chaperone. Ferguson thinks he’s found the most proper woman in England – and he won’t ruin her, even if he secretly desires the passionate woman trapped beneath a spinster’s cap.

One chance to break the rules...

Lady Madeleine Vaillant can’t face her blighted future without making one glorious memory for herself. In disguise, on a London stage, she finds all the adoration she never felt from the ton. But when she’s nearly recognized, she will do anything to hide her identity – even setting up her actress persona as Ferguson’s mistress. She’ll take the pleasure he offers, but Madeleine won’t lose her heart in the bargain.

One season to fall in love...

Every stolen kiss could lead to discovery, and Ferguson’s old enemies are determined to ruin them both. But as their dangerous passion ignites their hearts and threatens their futures, how can an heiress who dreams of freedom deny the duke who demands her love?