title: Lord Devereaux's Lady
author: Kilgallen, Blaise
description: A penniless orphan, CASSANDRA HARCOURT is sent to London by Agatha Bottomwell, wife of the village's Vicar, to apply as a scullery maid at the mansion of the Countess of Thornton, Agatha's younger sister. Leaving the rickety coach after a long, uncomfortable trip to London, Cassie trips and falls onto the muddy, cobblestoned street outside the coaching inn, soiling herself and her garments with horse manure. Never been to Town, unsure of her destination, and unfamiliar with the hustle and bustle in London's Mayfair, she wanders aimlessly, stopping now and again to gather her wits and stinking of horse manure. She is approached by Prudence Goodbody, who turns out to be a procurer for London's perverts and brothels. Prudence sees the girl's na?vet? and confusion and pounces. Being a "good Samaritan," she invites Cassandra back to her rooms for tea, then tries to keep her there until she can find a buyer. Suspicious and uncomfortable with the complete stranger, Cassie escapes Mrs. Goodbody's clutches when Prudence is forced to use the necessary out back. Weary from the journey, her clothes still reeking with horse manure, Cassandra's bruised knees and a blistered heel rubbed raw from ill-fitting, hand-me-down shoes given to her as the Vicar's charity, Cassie finally gives in and spends her dwindling pennies to hire a hackney cab to take her to 22 Mount Street and Thornton House. DEVEREAUX BALLANGER, EARL OF THORNTON-a golden-haired Adonis as handsome as Lucifer-is young, rich, a bachelor, and a practicing rake. London's Season is just starting, and Dev is already bored with the usual routs, balls, musicales, garden parties, etc, that make up the daily life of London's wealthy and libertine aristocracy. Chatting with a few of his friends at White's, the men propose Dev with a challenge-a silly wager: He must persuade an unknown female with no aristocratic upbringing and turn her into a lady before the sharp eyes of the ton-by May first of London's spring Season.