Napoleon has escaped from Elba and the threat of war hangs over all. The women speculate about spies and whether a close family friend's father died in an accident or by murder. They fail to recognize such villains might kill again.

Beautiful, headstrong Lady Alexandra Worthington comes from an indulgent and loving family. Her brothers tease her, and her mother, the duchess, insists she marry and parades eligible noblemen before her. Alexandra resists. She worries her brothers and a family friend, the new Earl of Blackmoor, when she encourages Lord Stanhope, a known rake, but also a childhood friend.

Alexandra's two equally intelligent and beautiful friends aid and abet her. Ella, Lady Eleanor, wants to become a novelist. She excels at asking pertinent questions and making clever guesses. Vivi, Lady Vivian, seeks to find The One. She possesses social skills that help smooth the way. The three delight in fending off their many suitors and avoid the bores as they attend balls, dinners, and Almack's.

Forced into the Season's social whirl, she holds her mother responsible. To her intense surprise, she discovers her parents are not only social leaders, but also encourage intelligent discussions at their parties. This forces her to see her parents as interesting people and not authority figures bent on ruining her life. Her parents wed for love and not for money or titles.

She wants to offer comfort to Blackmoor who lost his father. Attracted to him, she dismisses such feelings and attributes them to his recent bereavement, but when she sees him flirting with a beautiful childhood rival, she grows furious. He ignores her warnings and takes offence. They quarrel and he leaves Alexandra fuming.

Ella overhears a strange conversation and suspects the worst. Her suspicions aroused, she suggests an elderly French nobleman, an émigré, may be part of a spy ring. Alexandra in her efforts to investigate runs afoul of a nefarious scheme to undermine the war effort.

The three women appear almost too modern in their attitudes and goals. A fun read for those who love regencies and romantic mysteries where romance predominates. Astute readers will unravel the mystery before the heroine and her friends.

McLean promises a second novel. She still has Lady Eleanor and Lady Vivian to marry off.