The Huxtable siblings raised by their elder sister,
Margaret, after their parents' death, receive an unexpected
inheritance when Stephen inherits a title. From rags to
riches, the Huxtables' lives turn upside down. Katherine,
the youngest sister, has always been popular with the
gentlemen. Katherine does not feel anything special toward
any of them. When Baron Montford offers her a walk down the
secluded Vauxhall paths, Katherine accepts attracted to his
laughing eyes. Once again, Katherine's life undergoes
upheaval. The Baron wagered he could win her innocence with
his friends. He stops just short of winning the bet. She
was too easy. Katherine flees London and returns to the
country. Katherine, always the dreamer, embraces the
peaceful solitude she once treasured
Three years ago, Jasper Finley, Baron Montford, almost
crosses the line from decency to depravity when he wagers
an innocent's virtue. Jasper banishes himself from London
and returns to his estate for a year. Still a rogue but a
more reflective one, Jasper brings his stepsister to London
for her upcoming eighteenth birthday. Immediately his aunt
challenges his guardianship. She would like nothing more
than to take charge of Charlotte's inheritance. Jasper
underestimates her and does not take her objection
seriously. Instead, Jasper concentrates on the recently
returned Katherine. He loves their verbal sparring and
surprisingly notes that he likes her.
After three years, Katherine thought she would be cured of
her interest in Jasper but finds she is not. Katherine sees
beyond the mask he portrays to the world and wants nothing
more than to teach him to leave his cynicism behind and
open his eyes to the possibilities the world offers.
Neither sees the danger from Charlotte's aunt until
Katherine's reputation lies in tatters. Marriage is their
only option. Now, their future lies in their ability to
find the possibilities that marriage could offer.
Ms. Balogh creates Regency family centered dramas that are
not quick and easy reads as they delve into the characters
complicated lives. In the Huxtable series, Ms. Balogh
ponders the romance of a dreamer to one who has lost the
ability to dream. The journey Katherine and Jasper take as
they examine their motives and hearts will capture readers'
own hearts in this superbly told tale.
New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh sweeps
us back in time to an age of scandal and glittering society—
and brings to life an extraordinary family: the daring,
passionate Huxtables. Katherine, the youngest sister—and
society’s most ravishing innocent—is about to turn the
tables on the irresistible rakehell sworn to seduce her,
body and soul....
In a night of drunken
revelry, Jasper Finley, Baron Montford, gambles his
reputation as London’s most notorious lover on one woman.
His challenge? To seduce the exquisite, virtuous Katherine
Huxtable within a fortnight. But when his best-laid plans
go awry, Jasper devises a wager of his own. For Katherine,
already wildly attracted to him, Jasper’s offer is
irresistible: to make London’s most dangerous rake fall in
love with her. Then Jasper suddenly ups the ante. Katherine
knows she should refuse. But with scandal brewing and her
reputation in jeopardy, she reluctantly agrees to become
his wife. Now, as passion ignites, the seduction really
begins. And this time the prize is nothing less than
both their hearts.…