Lord Love a Lady

A London deb and a military hero meet at a ball and fall in love. Years later, a chance meeting reveals the truth of the past and yet the impossibility of a future together. Can they surpass love's barriers the second time around?

It's not fair. Rakes are almost always given the benefit of the doubt, but debutantes who take the slightest misstep get sent to the country, which is where Lady Natalie Spencer is stuck after jilting her betrothed one week before the wedding. Frustrated with her banishment, in spite of trying to be a good girl all the time, she's ready and willing to take a few chances with her reputation.

Alex Cross, the Duke of "Ice" has earned the nickname given him by the ton. Having lost his family in a tragic accident a few years before, he is now cynical, blasé, and arrogant. The duke no longer expects happiness, but will not reject sensual pleasure if it is offered. After all, a man has needs . . . . . . none of which will be met, unfortunately, at this particular house party. For most of his fellow guests are elderly gossips and the entertainments thus far have been something of a snooze, really. He'll make his excuses and depart early.

After witnessing the miracle of birth, self-determined spinster Miss Penelope Crone is having second thoughts about swearing off marriage. She wants—no, she needs—to experience the blessed event herself. Dear God, she's practically thirty! Time is running out! Hugh Chesterton, Viscount Danbury, is relatively intelligent, good looking, unmarried, and most importantly, close at hand. With a little décolletage, a sway of the hips, and a few drinks of brandy, Penelope is certain she can extract a respectable offer. If only she'd accounted for the power of passion.

Rose is a lady's maid–albeit an educated, opinionated, hard headed, and impetuous one. Roman Spencer stands to become one of England's most powerful earls. Sober and responsible, Viscount Darlington holds honor and duty above all else. Stumbling upon one another at a Christmas house party, the mismatched couple struggles to douse the smoldering attraction threatening to ignite between them. Will they succumb to society's dictates or give in to the power of an everlasting love?

Lady Asherton is proper, lovely, and . . . lost. Widowed and just turned thirty—her recent engagement promises an unexpected chance to become a mother at last. The Marquess of Rockingham is gorgeous, exciting, and loyal to his family. He's never met a woman he can't have and the world is at his feet. He is young—too young. She's engaged—to his uncle. Two unlikely lovers are faced with a choice. Risk everything and embrace the passion of a lifetime or give in to society's expectations and endure the ashes of regret?