Harriet, Duchess of Berrow, is desperate to flee the sadness of being a widow. Whether presiding over the Shire Court of the Duchy of Berrow, or dressed as a prim Mother Goose at an extravagant masquerade ball thrown by one of her wicked friends, Harriet’s in a rut. And she’s beginning to long for something altogether different. It’s time for a complete change of pace – she will throw off her widow’s weeds and escape…to the famously dissolute house party held at Lord Strange’s country estate? But no duchess can appear at one of Strange’s parties without risking her reputation forever. So when the Duke of Villiers offers to accompany Harriet, she jumps at the chance – even if it means disguising herself as a young man.
So, off with the wig and hoops and on with a pair of breeches. In a twinkling, Harriet transforms into a young relative of the Duke of Villiers, one Harry Cope…and she becomes a huge success at the debauched house party. There are many a maiden and matron alike who’d like to help Harry come into his (her) manhood. But passions are indeed matters passing strange – Harriett feels attraction spark between herself and the elusive Lord Strange… which Strange, known as Jem to his friends, finds strange indeed. Judging by this odd attraction to a young man, he really needs to take a mistress. Jem is determined to get to the heart of Harry Cope, and to figure out what makes the young squire tick, Strange engages Harry in manly pursuits – rapier fighting, horse riding, strategic games of politics – and lessons in how to seduce a woman. Harriett finds herself in a seductive game indeed, writing bawdy missives to Strange, a la Cyrano, for a young actress with a strong fancy for the master of the house…whilst imagining herself engaged in the same play her words describe.
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