London, July 1818

Her brother Ben was a rake before being tamed by love. Her unconventional sister Beatrice is now Marchioness of Pelham, a devoted wife and mother. The youngest sister, Helen, promises to be a problem. Eleanor, the middle Sinclair daughter, has always been the dutiful one, the one who never worried her father, Viscount Sinclair, or her Great-aunt Louisa, who serves the siblings in place of their late mother. But Eleanor has one obsession that is about to lead her into trouble.

At eighteen, Eleanor is in London to be introduced to Society by Beatrice, which is a good thing, because she would never get away with anything under Aunt Louisa's eagle eye. You see, Eleanor is a stage-struck bluestocking who cares nothing for the staid rituals of a come-out. She doesn't want to be an actress or anything that outré; she'd settle for being a playwright...or even spending her time in Town at the theater. But Beatrice's schedule is filled with balls and routs, so Eleanor is forced to invent an ailing friend to visit...just this once. She dons a wig and sober clothes from her amateur theatrical wardrobe and sneaks out to see a play. Unfortunately, she doesn't get to see the whole; Eleanor is distracted during the first act by giggling behind her. She turns in annoyance and sees a man and a woman behaving shockingly. Her eyes meet his, and Eleanor immediately falls into lust...not that she recognizes her feelings as such, but it's enough to send her fleeing for home during the intermission.

James Bentley doesn't know what just happened between him and the plainly dressed woman whose eyes he met, but then what does it matter? He'll never see her again. But of course he does -- he's part owner of the theater -- and they meet. He believes her when she says she's a governess named Smith and thinks her a bold one to attend the theater alone. Doesn't that make her eligible for seduction?

James's childhood was a horror even though he's the son of an earl. He ran away from home at sixteen and just recently returned to England. He and his brother William, now earl of Lennox, are on good terms, but James has no intention of attending any social events, despite Will's urging.

A dangerous game ensues that is bound to lead to trouble...

Wouldn't any woman have a hard time resisting a hero like James? A dark and delicious bad boy with a streak of honor and a background to melt the heart of the coolest among us? Eleanor is easy to identify with when displaying totally realistic hesitations and indecision.

THE WAYWARD DEBUTANTE is the third Harlequin Historical (and Mills and Boone editions) starring a member of the Sinclair family. Ben's and Beatrice's tales were told in THE RAKES PROPOSAL (#820) and REFORMING THE RAKE (#774). Sarah Elliott does a fine job in creating fresh heroines, appealing heroes, and intriguing plots. Her tales fit the description of the traditional Regency romance with an added bonus of sensuality.

Rich character development and an engaging relationship, plus entertaining and meaningful dialogue, make THE WAYWARD DEBUTANTE a book for historical romance lovers' want lists.

Jane Bowers