Lady Elizabeth Anne Haughton-Marshall, daughter of the late Earl of Farling, was more interested in managing the three prosperous Dorset farms left to her by her father, than in joining the social whirl of a London season. Horses and hens were her passion, not hunting for a husband. Unfortunately, Lady Beth's trustee and uncle, Lord Farling, was as determined to see her in the capital city, as she was to be in the country. Forced to accede to his plan, Lady Beth gives her word to attend a reasonable number of social gatherings, to behave with ladylike civility, and not to avoid potential suitors. As a woman of honor, Lady Beth must keep her word, and observe her uncle's restrictions, but as a woman of spirit, she cannot simply submit. And so she decides to make herself into an "eccentric lady," by telling charming but nonsensical tales. Imagine her surprise when she discovers that her tarradiddles have made her, not an outcast, but an immensely popular young woman, with a reputation for wit...

One of only two Regency novels written by "Jane Lovelace" (a pen name, according to the dust-jacket blurb), Eccentric Lady is a delightfully humorous romp, sure to please fans of the genre. I enjoyed reading of Lady Beth's many escapades - particularly her stint as "The Hen Herder" - and while I thought that Lord Alspeth was not as developed a character as he could have been, found his interaction with the heroine quite entertaining. I liked the supporting cast - Alspeth's young nephew, Mr. Thorpe, and Lady Beth's companion, Jane Westcott - immensely. I think this is my favorite non-Heyer title thus far, in my slow exploration of the Regency Romance! ( )