Georgette Heyer, masterful composer of dozens of Regency romances, finds a delightful new way to coax smiles and kindle readers' hearts with every single novel. The particularly beguiling Frederica introduces the Marquis of Alverstoke, who, despite being "the most brilliant catch on the Matrimonial Market," seems utterly bored by the entire process of finding a proper wife. When his genuinely charming distant cousin Frederica comes to London with her unconventional siblings, Lord Alverstoke suddenly finds himself in the unexpected position of hosting a debut ball. Many surprises ensue, and the very sensible Frederica's belief that "people who are passionately in love frequently do the oddest things" is well and happily proven!