Wisdom is in short supply when the Honourable Louisa Rainley and twins Lord James and Lady Susan Haythe are launched into London's Fashionable World in the social Season of 1818. They are ripe for adventure and seeking new experiences. Upon making their bows, they are quickly nicknamed 'the three wise monkeys' for their individual tendencies to 'hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil'. The threesome knows each other well; their families are connected by marriage. The Haythe twins, siblings of the new Marquess of Cheriton with whom they reside, are fair and handsome and confident that London will be at their feet before a month is out. Their friend Louisa Rainley, a pretty ônut-brown maid,ö is not so certain. She is lodged with another member of the Haythe family, their married sister Felicity. Of a more practical and mature nature than her friends, Louisa can envisage problems that might complicate their debut. She knows that Susan will not listen to advice, and James sees only good in everyone. And all is not well in her hostess's household. However, but for the twins' family, she would not be in London at all, and she is grateful to them. She is determined to do all she can to make the season a success for all of them. There is one complication of which only she is aware. She had been devoted to the marquess two years before and had imagined herself in love with him with all the intensity of a sheltered girlhood. The infatuation has passed but she has no desire to spend any more time than is necessary in Cheriton's company. She could only regret any extended contact that the Season might demand. The Marquess of Cheriton, Nicholas Haythe, is burdened by charge of the trio on their come-out. He is old beyond his years, encumbered by his father's death, his new responsibilities and his memories of his service with Wellington's army. His brother and sister he can discipline, after the event, if not before. But Louisa he cannot control, anymore than he can control his growing feelings for her. She has suddenly grown up, become a beautiful, spirited and desirable young woman. And he cannot believe it appropriate to pay his addresses to her. Wisdom is a hard-won commodity, and sometimes the cost is substantial. But if they are to find success and happiness, the three ômonkeysö and the rest of their family must be wise enough to accept love in all its guises.