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Heiress Without A Cause (Muses of Mayfair Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Sara Ramsey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 4,474
See all formats and editions
One title to change his life…

A disgraced son with a dark reputation, William Ferguson Avenel is content to live in exile in Scotland - until his father dies in the scandal of the Season, making him the new Duke of Rothwell and leaving him in charge of his young sisters. With rumors of insanity swirling around their family, the girls desperately need a chaperone. And he thinks he's found the lady for the job... until Rothwell discovers her dangerous secret life.

One chance to break the rules...

Lady Madeleine Vaillant may be the perfect chaperone, but she can't face her blighted future without making one glorious memory for herself. In disguise, on a London stage, she finds all the adoration she never felt from the ton. But when she's nearly recognized, she will do anything to hide her identity - even making a devil’s bargain with Rothwell, who saves her from discovery by claiming her as his mistress. She'll take the pleasure he offers - but Madeleine won't lose her heart in the bargain.

One season to fall in love...

Every stolen kiss could lead to discovery, and Rothwell's old enemies are determined to ruin them both. But as their dangerous passion ignites their hearts and threatens their futures, how can an heiress who dreams of freedom deny the duke who demands her love?

---

Series: Muses of Mayfair #1
Next Book: Scotsmen Prefer Blondes, Muses of Mayfair #2 - available now!
Genre: Regency Historical
Setting: London, 1812
Length: 94,000 words (full-length novel)
Sensuality: Hot
You may like this if you like: women in disguise, actresses, dukes, reformed rakes, female friendships, girls with secret artistic passions, and guys who aren't afraid to say they're in love
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 4
    Muses of Mayfair
  2. Print length
    343 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    February 22, 2013
  6. File size
    1007 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Muses of Mayfair series is a rollicking riot of misadventure for four unconventional women... Beautifully written by brilliant new author Sara Ramsey, readers must not miss a single book in this lively series." - SingleTitles.com

"As Ferguson and Madeline's lives get entangled in two levels of society, the suspense gets intense with breath-holding events that grip the reader's attention...Ms Ramsey weaves together a fantastic story with bits of humor, some scary situations, magical love scenes, compelling back stories, plus some comedic and other riveting London Society happenings." - 4.5/5 stars, Long and Short Reviews

"A fast paced, action filled adventure of love, passion, desires, romance, and a wonderful love story...The "Heiress Without a Cause" will have you turning pages and holding your breath as these two lovers try to keep the gossipmongers at bay...A must read!" - 5/5 stars, My Book Addiction and More

"The author has done an excellent job in portraying the relationships between all the characters with so much reality that it will touch your hearts with an equal dose of humor and sensuality." - 4/5 stars, Bookworm2Bookworm"HEIRESS WITHOUT A CAUSE...is exactly why historical romance has such committed fans. The world of the ton with the balls and costumes is beautifully written and makes readers feel they're part of the scenes. But the best part of this novel is the complex characters and their relationships with each other." - 4/5 stars, The Romance Reviews

"Book one of the Muses of Mayfair begins a promising new series with artistic women who must perform their vocations as males. Mad and Ferguson mature as a couple and help those around them through their problems." - Donna M. Brown, 4 stars - RT Book Reviews

"...A feisty independent heroine tames an arrogantly handsome hero in this Regency romance filled with witty banter and dicey situations. Ramsey snares her readers from the first as she shares the secret thoughts and longings of her characters through sensuous imagery and creative dialogue..." -Donna Zapf, 4.5 stars - Singletitles.com

About the Author

Sara Ramsey is a historical romance author with great taste in Champagne, bad taste in movies, and a serious love for journals and washi tape. Her award-winning historical romances feature plenty of devious dukes, daring ladies, and happily ever afters. Sara has called both Iowa and San Francisco home, but she's currently wandering the globe while writing novels and searching for the perfect cup of tea. Find out more about her work at sararamsey.com. 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00CID1VJQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (February 22, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 22, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1007 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 343 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 4,474

About the author

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Sara Ramsey

Sara Ramsey

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Sara Ramsey is a historical romance author with great taste in Champagne, bad taste in movies, and a serious love for journals and washi tape. Her award-winning historical romances feature plenty of devious dukes, daring ladies, and happily ever afters. Sara has called both Iowa and San Francisco home, but she's currently wandering the globe while writing novels and searching for the perfect cup of tea. Find out more about her work at www.sararamsey.com.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
4,474 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Zena
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable!
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
Ferguson and Madeleine start out as Employer and Chaperone but this soon changes. Along the way we find out that he was a rake up until he was exiled to Scotland 10 years previously and she is currently performing very successfully on stage, which is a 'no-no' for that era.
So they both have things that they are hiding and this story tells us how they both uncover the other's secrets and how it affects their relationships both with each other and with other family members.
It is a brilliantly written story with careful attention to detail. Many a time I found myself smiling at the antics and carrying ons but I thoroughly enjoyed the book in its entirety.
In addition there are some interesting love scenes and the romancing itself is rather novel.
One is also introduced to family members and other members of the ton who contribute their own background stories that tie in nicely with this main one.
I really did enjoy reading this book and can confidently recommend it and I look forward to reading more by this very talented author.
4 people found this helpful
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Past Romance
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read - unique storyline
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2013
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I just completed the entire Muses of Mayfair series and have decided that this first book is my favorite.

Once you have read as many historical romances as I have, it is refreshing to come across one with a unique twist. I love that both of the main characters are unconventional in different ways--but not the usual tortured-soul-brooding-wounded sort of way.

Madeline has fire and a passion for the stage. Unfortunately, in her time, gently bred women didn't dare do such a thing. Actresses and mistresses/harlots were one and the same. Before she gives in to a miserable life as a spinster, she dares to masquerade as a French actress and is met with hoardes of adoring fans. She's fantastic! But to continue would risk ruin of both herself and her family.

Ferguson is a wonderful mix of rake, gentleman, and lonely soul. Part Scot, part English, he doesn't seem to really fit either place. When he feels strongly about something, though, he throws himself in with no holds barred.

This book has funny moments, tender scenes, and some beautiful love scenes. Great read--highly recommended.
11 people found this helpful
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AM Kipp
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Story
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
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Madeleine is firmly on the shelf. At this point, she’s just fine with that, as it affords her the luxury of engaging in the thing she loves most on occasion: the theater. Her reputation would be ruined, and the ton would be aghast, if they ever found out that Madeleine and Marguerite were one and the same. Ferguson has returned from Scotland, taking over a dukedom he never expected to inherit, and being shoved back into a life he was desperate to escape. But scandals flow like water around his family, and even with his father dead, or especially, there is a mess to clean up. Not to mention sisters to take care of. He approaches Madeleine about chaperoning his younger sisters into their debut. It isn’t long before he discovers her secret…and the lengths he would go to for both of them.
This is the first book by Sara Ramsey I have read, but it won’t be my last. I’m ready to read the second book in this Muses of Mayfair series. Madeleine and Ferguson are both fantastic characters, and the others in the book are awesome, and I am wanting to read their stories as well!
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Lola Jane
3.0 out of 5 stars It Was Okay- I Think Most Readers Will Really Like It
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2012
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I think most readers will really like the book. I wasn't wild about it but you have to account for personal tastes. I'm well aware that some books I love, everyone hates. And, some books I hate, everyone loves. This book, I thought, was okay. I will get the second book in the series- so it was genuinely okay. For a totally neutral review- I think a lot of readers will really like the book and find it totally engaging and will really like the idea of the story arc. It was pretty well-written. I found the title in the listings for the RITA/Golden Heart Awards (for those of you who don't know- that is an EXCELLENT place to find new writers when you are scrounging about for something new and fresh to read.) It appears to be the initial book in a three (at least) book story arc. The book was a solid stand-alone story- I appreciate that it wasn't yet another romantic/suspense mystery that will require three books to solve- I like a good stand-alone. I enjoyed the Hero's family issues and hope they will be explored in an additional book in the series- I'm still interested in that story-line. The story line was an interesting take- ladies in the Regency period with interests inappropriate for tonnish, vapid ladies (acting, writing, and science). I thought the Hero and heroine had a believable attraction and were well-suited in the narrative. They had decent chemistry. The sex was NOT outside the normal parameters of a modern (as in written in 2012) romance novel (I only mention this because there are some strong reviews offended by the so-called graphic sex in this book?) If you read the romance genre widely, the sex will not be at all surprising. All in all, I think a lot of readers will be pleased with the book.

I'll tell you why I thought the book was just okay but I am not warning readers away from the book. Like I said above, I'll continue the series and give the author another chance because I like the series' basic premise. Totally give it a shot!

Personally, I thought the plot was a little uneven- not bad, just a little uneven? I'm not sure how to articulate this. Just about all romance novels have the lovers confront obstacles to a happy ending thrown in their path via the plot-line. I will totally admit that romance novels can go a little crazy with these conflicts- I've read some crazy and/or busy plot-lines- if you love this stuff, then feel free to ignore me. I have a personal dislike for, what I see as, inorganic obstacles. Basically, they are obstacles that just don't feel that natural for one reason or other. I thought the second to last obstacle to the lover's happiness had a few false notes. Perhaps I am underestimating the nastiness of Regency gossip and the idiocy of their conclusion jumping? It just felt a touch overblown to create the crisis to which the lover's were acting as if they were to become fugitives from the law. I found the way the heroine found out about the crisis to be a little unbelievable (even I know that proper people would not talk about this in public) and the fact that a friend (?) or friendly acquaintance would be so nasty (and if they would- why are they friends?). The final crisis seemed very organic but the resolution was ridiculously easy and fast. The author did a great job creating a stalkerish villain who was very active throughout the entire story. The villain is fairly mysterious with a huge grudge against the Hero (I wish that had been expounded upon- seemed as if the villain blamed the Hero 100% for the consequences of an action that the villain was 50% responsible for. The villain had a serious victim complex and did not account for their own participation in bad behavior that had some kind of consequences. And, the villain seemed a little unhinged at times.) The villain then holds the lover's happiness in their hands- they were completely at the villain's mercy. And... they cleared it all up in a few minutes with a little conversation. Completely civilized. It did not account for the crazy stalking and the unhinged behavior. Did not account for the victim complex. I don't know- it all came off as uneven.
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Ananya
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!
Reviewed in India on April 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this from start to finish. I caught myself marvelling at the world building every so often as each character came to life and tidbits of each was revealed as if I was unfolding an intricate origami.
Sara, it was such a pleasure to read this. It is a roller coaster ride as one becomes invested in all the characters' lives, thoughts, etc.
Glad that both Madeleine & Ferguson found each other and confronted their demons, including Westbrooke & Caro. The journey ahead is looking up.
It still feels like Madeleine will find a way to pursue her dream again, with Ferguson by her side and bring an awesome change to the society for women and she will be his anchor and light to help trust himself and be with his family.
I was happy to know that Westbrooke and Caro ended up together as well. At first, when I had an inkling that there might be more between these two, I couldn't help but wonder why Caro was so furious at Ferguson and kept railing him for the same but it becomes clearer as she was left to pick up the pieces & face the consequences which thankfully didn't last long yet transformed her irrevocably. Glad that she could forgive and move on with Westbrooke by her side.
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Zeinab
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this genre of books
Reviewed in Canada on January 11, 2018
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I chose to read and review this book. I love this genre of books.This one did not disappoint me at all. Such great plot. Amazing strong characters. The main heroine and hero are great. I enjoyed the difference in each one and how it felt new to read each character personality who was strong? and who was weak? it was full of action of passion and sparks that flew between them ahh so great can't wait for the rest
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Tessa
5.0 out of 5 stars A not so proper Lady
Reviewed in Australia on September 27, 2016
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Madeleine has always wanted to act, but she is a lady of the ton. A spinster who is so respected that she is considered perfect as a chaperone to two young society misses.
On the other hand Ferguson, the new Duke of Rothwell and brother to the two young misses, is considered to be an irredeemable rake.
But Madeleine has a secret that could see her ruined if it comes out. The reprobate Duke discovers her secret and Madeleine finds that he is not as he is made out to be.
A look at society in a time when women couldn't vote, couldn't act on the public stage without being considered a prostitute, couldn't belong to any scientific, artistic or literary society as they were considered to be mentally inferior!
Madeleine wants her moment of fame but is it the best thing for her?
Interesting characters and a well thought out story.
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Cristina
1.0 out of 5 stars Trama ridícula
Reviewed in Spain on March 31, 2016
Verified Purchase
Madeleine debe ser uno de los personajes más egoístas de los que he leído. Sintiéndolo mucho no acabé de leerlo. Cada día atesoro más el tiempo libre que tengo y reconozo que compré esto porque estaba gratis y hacía mucho que no leía un libro de este género. La experiencia no fue nada agradable, eso lo aseguro.

.....Spoilers.....

El personaje de Madeleine se siente aburrido de la vida que lleva y decide entrar en el mundo de la actuación... Todo lo que piensa y hace es por la actuación. No hay nada en ella trascendente. Luego tenemos a Ferguson, la contraparte masculina en esta historia. Nada nuevo que añadir a estereotipos de este género excepto la vulgaridad de este personaje y una vez más, su egoísmo. Su lema debería ser "Yo, Yo, Yo". Pobre Ferguson, no quiere ser duque, no quiere crecer y madurar como un adulto. Tomar lo que tiene y hacer cosas positivas con ello, como por ejemplo: alimentar a los niños desamparados de las calles de esa época, donar dinero a escuelas, orfanatos, invertir en una causa. Tristemente, él es bueno para dos cosas: pensar en sí mismo y pensar con lo que tiene entre las piernas.
No sé qué creen las autoras añadiendo semejante cantidad de escenas de cama en las historias, pero para mí es síntoma de la poca creatividad a la hora de tejer una historia y necesita ser fiel a la época y al comportamiento de la gente de la misma. No estoy en contra del uso de esas escenas en un libro, pero hay un límite para su uso.
No recomiendo esto a nadie.
2 people found this helpful
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Qqn
3.0 out of 5 stars Light reading
Reviewed in France on April 4, 2014
Verified Purchase
Not bad, but nothing to distinguish it from other historical romances. The story line is highly improbable for the time is set in, but we are talking about fiction – and in that sense I liked the idea of a woman breaking the conventions of the society. Light reading for a lazy afternoon.
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