At a masquerade ball, Lady Jane Guthrie sees her childhood
friend, Seth, across the room and wonders if he'll
recognize and speak to her. Her love for him grew
throughout childhood and adolescence even when he made an
offer for her sister's hand, who rejected it. After that,
she had not seen him again.
In the meantime, Jane's parents arranged a marriage for her
with an arrogant philander. At his premature death in the
arms of a courtesan, Jane's life took a turn for the worse.
Her brother-in-law and his family took control of her
finances and used her as a servant in her own home. Tired
of the servitude, Jane plans a night out at a masquerade
ball. Spying Seth, Jane realizes she still has feelings for
him.
Seth Ruthledge, the Earl of St. Claire, left England when
his father bought him a commission in the Navy. After the
tragic accident that left his sister blind, Seth's father
blamed him and could not stand to look at him. Seth only
returned after surviving war and pirates to assume the
title, planning to marry and give his sister a home and
security. Love is not considered in his search for a bride.
The one time he fell in love it was with a faithless woman
who humiliated him. He refuses to go through that pain
again.
At the ball, Seth seduces a sensual woman who declines to
identify herself. When he learns it's Jane, Seth's fury at
the deception devastates her. He wants nothing to do with
her or her family after the humiliation he suffered because
of their rejection years ago. However, Seth and Jane cannot
dismiss the passion between them, but it cannot grow into
love unless they remove the barriers around their hearts.
Ms. Jordan delivers a passionate and engaging love story
that keeps you turning the pages. She excels in writing
memorable characters who carry heavy emotional burdens. The
secondary characters are also intriguing. Hopefully, they
will get their own stories.
Tired of
being treated like a servant by her own family, Lady Jane
Guthrie finally has a chance to escape . . . at least for
one night. Attired in a daring gown, she arrives at a
scandalous courtesans' masquerade ball looking forward to
her few hours of freedom. But when she sees Seth Rutledge,
her skin begins to tingle with anticipation. Many years
ago, Seth broke her heart by falling for her beautiful,
title-hungry sister. But now here he is, right in front of
her, offering her his lips . . .
Embittered by
war, Seth returns home to inherit the title that would
have once won him the woman of his dreams. Though duty
demands he wed, he's convinced passion no longer has a
place in his life . . . until a masked siren sets his
heart aflame. Desperate to find her again, he has no idea
it's his childhood friend Jane—and that after one night
together their lives will never be the same.
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