Alexia Welbourne learned to trust her instincts, so she
knew instantly that only trouble would come from this
visitor, the handsome and arrogant Lord Hayden Rothwell.
What could he want from her cousin, Timothy Longworth, that
he demanded he rise from his sickbed to meet him.
While born the daughter of a gentleman, Alexia finds out
that she is now penniless with no home. Timothy declares he
is ruined and blames none other than Lord Rothwell
himself! Timothy then tells her that he is taking his two
sisters, Roselyn and Irene, to cheaper lodgings but there
is no room for her and is abandoning her to find employment
or face moral ruin as a "soiled dove". Forced to show Lord
Hayden around his "new property", Alexia can't resist
slinging verbal arrows his way. Unperturbed by his
seemingly callous behaviour to her cousins, he surprises
her by offering a position as companion to his Aunt
Henrietta and governess to Caroline, his cousin, who is to
be launched into society that season. Alexia's pride wants
to throw his offer back in his face, but her pragmatic
nature and the reality of her situation force her to bit
her tongue.
Despite Alexis's abhorrence for Hayden, she picks up on
certain nuances in his conversations while speaking about
her cousins, Timothy and Benjamin, her beloved fiancée,
dead these past four-year and a good friend of Hayden's.
Seeking answers, she sneaks into the attic to search
Benjamin's old trunks. Stunned by what she finds, her
heart breaks and she is overcome with grief again. Finding
her there, Hayden's attempts to comfort her soon end up in
seduction.
While having vowed never to marry, Hayden recognizes that
Alexis is "well born" and "rothes well" by offering her
marriage. But, with this change of fortune, who will win the
battle to rule? Can Alexia's quest for love be found in
this marriage of shame?
Madeline Hunter has a terrific track record for writing
historical and regency novels, and this, her latest book,
is bound to exceed her previous successes. She has crafted
a hot and saucy romance with an intriguing plot, surprising
twists in fortunes, and well-drawn characters whose
delightful quirks and witty repartee are sure to
captivate. Even this villain will tug your heartstrings!
Dangerous. Sensual. Handsome as sin. Meet Hayden Rothwell,
the shamelessly erotic hero of The Rules of Seduction and
author Madeline Hunter’s most irresistible alpha male yet:
a
man of extraordinary passion and power, a man who can bring
out the seductress in any woman.…
He enters her home without warning or invitation–a stranger
of shadowy motives and commanding sensuality. Within hours,
Alexia Welbourne is penniless, without any hope of
marriage.
Until Hayden Rothwell takes her to bed. When one impulsive
act of passion forces Alexia to marry the very man who has
ruined her, Hayden’s seduction of Alexia is nearly
complete.
What Alexia doesn’t know is that her irresistible new
husband is driven by a secret purpose–and a debt of honor
he
will risk everything to repay. Alexia is the wild card.
Reluctant to give up their nightly pleasures, Hayden must
find a way to keep Alexia by his side...only to be utterly,
thoroughly seduced by a woman who is now playing by her own
rules.