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New York Times Bestseller • USA Today Bestseller
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Love With a Scandalous Lord
Avon Books June 2003 0-380-81743-8 Read Excerpt | Read a letter from the hero to you.
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You first met Lydia Westland in A ROGUE IN TEXAS. Her mother, Abbie, married the dashing English rogue, Grayson Rhodes. Now Grayson has been called home to pay his respects to his ailing father, and he's taken his new family with him... Lydia wants nothing more than to be seen as a lady, to be accepted by the peerage, and to marry nobility. She loves the rules, the etiquette, and the glamour of London. She believes her father's half-brother, the Marquess of Blackhurst, can help her achieve her goal. But Rhys Rhodes has lived much of his life in the shadows where polite society's dark secrets flourish. To help Lydia will mean revealing his infamous past. But when the innocent lady steals his heart, how can he not risk losing all that he holds dear--including her--in order to ensure she obtains all she dreams of?
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"Love with a Scandalous Lord is Lorraine Heath's most sensual book yet. I adored Rhys, one of the most seductive heroes to grace the Season. His story is not to be missed!" ―Kathy Baker of Waldenbooks
"Exceptionally written..."―Booklist starred review |
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"[Heath] can create characters, conflicts and passions that draw us in and make us care―a mark of a great storyteller." ―Kathe Robin, Romantic Times
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"Superb..." ―Joy
Dickinson,
Dallas Morning News "An unforgettable coming-of-age tale of a naïve young woman, who must reject fantasy and embrace reality." ―Suan Wilson, Old Book Barn Gazette "A beautiful romance that rings true." ―Harriet Klausner, The Best Reviews
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USA
Today
BestsellerExcerpt from Love with a Scandalous Lord
"I find you fascinating, Miss Westland."
He heard her breath catch. Her eyes were limpid pools with the ability to take a man under and not make him care that he might never again surface.
"We're practically related. You could call me Lydia."
"We're not related at all," he said, while not revealing the more honest truth. That he was absolutely grateful they weren't.
"You play with fire, when you approach a man wearing nothing but your nightclothes," he informed her.
Lydia felt as though she weren't only playing with fire, but completely surrounded by it. When had the night grown so incredibly warm? When had heat begun to pulse through her like sweltering springs?
"It wasn't my intent to approach you in my nightclothes." Holding his gaze, she was aware her voice sounded as though it came from far away.
"Your intent hardly matters when I find you so distracting. Have you any notion how truly lovely you are?"
"You ignored me for most of the evening," she pointed out.
"Not for one moment."
His hands left her ankles to cradle her face. "You tempt me, as I have not been tempted in a good long while."
She found it difficult to draw in air, to think. She was certain she was supposed to respond with some sort of witty repartee, but she couldn't think of anything clever or interesting.
"I'm hardly dressed as a temptress."
"You're hardly dressed at all. That was your second mistake."
"And my first mistake?"
"Was not returning to the house when I ordered you to go."
Before she could protest that she wasn't one to take orders, he settled his mouth against hers, demanding, insistent, giving the one command to which she was more than willing to surrender.
Copyright © 2003
It is with immense satisfaction that I admit my influence can readily be seen in Lorraine Heath's June 2003 release Love With a Scandalous Lord. While her previous stories have been peopled with emotionally-rich characters, with my story, she has moved into the realm of luxuriant sensuality.
For you see, although I sought to hide within Victorian London's shadows, I was frequently called upon to share my knowledge of the sensual arts. I could hardly refuse when I was well compensated to bring pleasure to the aristocratic ladies. Over time, I developed quite the reputation as a master of seduction.
The unexpected death of my older brother left me next in line to inherit the dukedom. The family who shunned me is forced to welcome me home—albeit begrudgingly. The ladies I once pleasured know only that I am no longer available to them.
Lydia Westland first appeared in A Rogue in Texas. Her mother married the dashing English rogue, Grayson Rhodes. My half-brother. Now Grayson has returned to England to visit our ailing father and he's brought his new family with him.
Lydia charmed me with her innocence from the moment I caught her clutching her well-worn copy of Blunders in Behavior Corrected and serving tea to an imaginary gentleman. She wants me to teach her what her etiquette books do not, but the lessons I long to deliver do not fall within the boundaries of proper etiquette.
When she asks me to introduce her into Society, I know that fulfilling her request will result in my scandalous downfall. Influential ladies will recognize me and my infamous past will come to light. But for Lydia I will risk losing all that I have gained—including her heart—to ensure that she achieves her dream of living amidst the glitter and gold of London.
My Regards,
Rhys