Lord Lucas Kestrel's anger turns to desire when he meets Miss Rebecca Raleigh. He believes that she's one of the scandalous Archangel courtesans, but he quickly discovers that not only is she innocent she is, in fact, the woman he's been seeking.... Lucas has an agenda. He has to get close to Rebecca, court her, even seduce her, to try to discover if she's smuggling secrets that are threatening England's security! But Lucas, the rake without a heart, hasn't bargained on falling in love with the one woman he can't have....
Notorious rake, reckless widow Snowbound with society’s most notorious rake, Ruth Hayden has to use every ounce of her defiant spirit to keep from falling into his arms. But behind his charm Sir Clayton Powell hides the pain and humiliation of a past betrayal. Her life marked with scandal, Ruth knows what it is to struggle on the fringes of society, but even she is shocked by the vicious gossip circulating about him. Recklessly, she seeks to silence the rumour mill—by announcing their engagement. Then wonders how Clayton will take advantage of the situation…
Lord Lucas Kestrel has to get close to Miss Rebecca Raleigh, court her, even seduce her, to try and discover if she's smuggling secrets that are threatening England's security But Lucas, the rake without a heart, hasn't bargained on falling in love with the one woman he can't have...
Charles Mountford, Marquis of Tonbridge, has long felt the weight of responsibility. He knows he must do his duty and take a wife. But when he's left snowbound with the unconventional Miss Honor Meredith Draycott, he finds that his inner rogue wants to come out to play…. Merry doesn't need a man—no matter how handsome he is! Sadly, society takes a different view. Charlie is more than happy to make her socially acceptable, but only if she acts publicly as his betrothed and privately as his mistress!
Miss Letitia Boyce didn't begrudge her sisters their fun with the pick of London's available bachelors. She'd chosen her path and knew book-learning and marriage rarely mixed. Her proof was Lord Seton Rayne, who had made it abundantly clear that an unmarried schoolma'am was of no interest to him—no matter her good connections. Wealthy and titled, one of the most notorious rakehells in town, Seton had every heiress hurling herself at him. So his sudden kissing of captivating, unconventional Letitia took them both by surprise….
"They are known as the Rake Slayers ... Tired of the different standards applied to the men who flout society's rules, three young ladies seek a little primitive justice and hatch a plan to bring a few of London's most notorious rakes up to snuff before refusing them. But they soon learn exactly what it is that makes rakes so dangerous."--Back cover.
Society knows Lucian St. Claire to be one of the wickedest rakes around. His heart is out of reach, but he can certainly charm a lady. Now the time has come for Lucian to produce an heir—so first he must choose a wife! Young, vivacious and high-spirited, Grace Hetherington is definitely not the kind of woman he's looking for. Yet there's something irresistible about her—and when they're caught in a rather compromising situation, he has no choice but to make her his convenient bride….
Critics call her “a veritable treasure, a matchless storyteller” (Romantic Times). Readers have fallen in love with Mary Balogh’s sparkling blend of wit and romance. Now this dazzling writer sweeps us back to Regency England, into a world of dangerous secrets and glittering intrigue, as a dashing lord meets his match in a fiery beauty who vows to be ... No Man’s Mistress. The dark, devastating stranger rode into the village fair and wagered twenty pounds at the throwing booth — for a chance to win the daisies in Viola Thornhill’s hair. The Gypsy fortune teller had warned: “Beware of a tall, dark, handsome stranger. He can destroy you — if you do not first snare his heart.” Recklessly Viola flirted, then danced with him around the Maypole. And then came his delicate, delicious kiss. Viola did not regret that she had let down her guard — until the next morning, when he appeared at her door to claim her beloved Pinewood Manor. Lord Ferdinand Dudley won her home in a game of cards! Viola hated him for trying to take everything, including her soul. She was mistress of Pinewood Manor. Yet Dudley refused to leave, even as his conscience rebelled at compromising this beautiful innocent whose only proof of ownership was a dead earl’s promise. Dudley held the deed, but at what cost? Each day under the same roof brought its share of temptation, intimacy, and guilt. But Viola knew it was a battle she could not afford to lose. Marriage was out of the question, and she would be no man’s mistress. Even as Dudley’s unnerving presence, his knowing smile, threatened to melt her resolve. Against his better judgment, Lord Ferdinand Dudley was beguiled. This maddening beauty had stirred him as no woman had before. And he was bound and determined to make her his own. At once sensuous, whimsical, and wonderfully romantic, Mary Balogh’s new novel holds us in thrall, bringing to life a love story that sizzles with passion and originality.
In this captivating novel, Mary Balogh, the premier writer of Regency romance, invites you into a world of scandal and seduction, of glittering high society and intrigue, as an arrogant duke does the unthinkable—he falls in love with his mistress. She races onto the green, desperate to stop a duel. In the melée, Jocelyn Dudley, Duke of Tresham, is shot. To his astonishment, Tresham finds himself hiring the servant as his nurse. Jane Ingleby is far too bold for her own good. Her blue eyes are the sort a man could drown in—were it not for her impudence. She questions his every move, breaches his secrets, touches his soul. When he offers to set her up in his London town house, love is the last thing on his mind. Jane tries to pretend it’s strictly business, an arrangement she’s been forced to accept in order to conceal a dangerous secret. Surely there is nothing more perilous than being the lover of such a man. Yet as she gets past his devilish façade and sees the noble heart within, she knows the greatest jeopardy of all, a passion that drives her to risk everything on one perfect month with the improper gentleman who thinks that love is for fools.
To prevent three dukes from shoving their way into the royal line, the monarchy will dangle the "ton's" most notorious rakes before the dukes' intended brides. They'll cause a scandal, then call off any plans of matrimony. But just who will have the last laugh? First in a new series. Original.
