The Countess Ashby de la Zouch would not be every parent's choice of chaperone for a beautiful teenager The second Mrs Alderman Franklyn-Green, however, is willing to go to any lengths to get rid of her unwanted stepdaughter Virginia And the promise of 100 guineas and a sojourn in the land of gay balls and all-night gambling is sufficient to secure the Countess's services Sadly, the exiled English Court at St Germain is far from the den of iniquity the Countess and her maidservant Alpiew were hoping for Worse, any hopes of enjoying fine French cuisine are dashed when a fellow guest is poisoned Once more the Countess and Alpiew are plunged into a dangerous investigation