Pleasant, lighthearted read
Felicia, a 20 year old beauty has been raised in the country as a tomboy with a great deal of freedom along with her best friend, Scott, since they were toddlers. Within the past two years she lost both parents and other than some ambiguous letters from her guardian, has continued to live as she has (with the aid of an imaginary, elderly relative) and has no plans to change. Two months before she attains legal independence on her 21st birthday, she receives an ominous letter from her guardian stating his intent to take her in hand and move her from her beloved home. She believes he has unscrupulous intent to marry her off to an undesirable relative or friend. She and Scott put their heads together and decide the only option is for him to take her to London and beg his aunt to allow her to stay there until her birthday. Of course plans, especially rash ones, tend to go astray. Due to a delayed departure, they find themselves lost, in the dark and far from their destination. They hear a gunshot and Scott decides he must ride to the rescue but the friends find themselves in need instead. Deliverance is not far behind in the form of a dashing gentleman who takes them to an inn and sees to their needs. Felicia provides a story of half truths and as Scott is healing, a romance develops between her and her "knight in shining armor," Glen Ashton.
Unbeknownst to Felicia, the old duke has passed on and a younger but somewhat unwilling relative inherits the rank along with all its wealth, property and unwanted responsibilities including a badly botched guardianship. He convinces his sister, Daphne to sponsor his guardian for a season in London and they arrange to meet at the girl's home and travel together back to London. Daphne arrives only to discover his ward missing along with the son of a neighboring squire and a letter from her brother that he's been unavoidably delayed. Madcap does not just describe Miss Felicia but pretty much the whole cast and plot of this fun to read historical romance. It is filled with loveable characters and even the bad guys are somewhat of a caricature. There is a single "bedroom" scene unsuitable for younger readers and unruly thoughts and daydreams referring back to it as well as some heated kisses. The language is mild. Even though the outcome is relatively predictable, what novel in this genre is not? "Madcap Miss" is a well written, fun to read, feel good story that women need to indulge in from time to time!