Avon
Featuring: Duke of Villiers; Lady Roberta; The Earl of Gryffyn
400 pages ISBN: 0060781939 EAN: 9780060781934 Kindle: B000R3NN9A Paperback / e-Book Add to Wish List
After the "Mad Marquess" pens an atrocious poem listing his
daughter's attributes in obscure verse, Lady Roberta
realizes her lack of suitors could become permanent. Being
a bold young woman, Roberta takes matters into her own
hands and departs for London. Roberta intends to ask an
extremely distant cousin, the Duchess of Beaumont, to
sponsor her in society. She's already decided to marry the
Duke of Villiers, the perfect antidote to her emotional and
madcap father.
Jemma, the Duchess of Beaumont, welcomes Roberta into her
home. Recently reunited with her husband after an extensive
stay in Paris, Jemma needs a distraction from her unhappy
marriage. It will also irritate her husband, who's already
furious about the impropriety of her brother, Damon, and
his illegitimate son residing with them.
Damon, the Earl of Gryffyn, rather likes the unconventional
Roberta and joins his sister in their plans to marry
Roberta off to the filthy rich Duke of Villiers. Their
difficulty will be in getting Villiers' attention. His
passion is chess and women bore him. While aiding the
cause, Damon finds himself attracted to Roberta. Her
honesty and sharp wit are refreshing after the pretensions
and hypocrisy of society. She is too good for Villiers, so
Damon sets a campaign to win her for himself.
Living with Jemma, Roberta gets an insight into the elite's
married behavior. Unhappy and bored, they embrace
sensuality and play dangerous games. When Roberta finally
gets the proposal, she must decide if she wishes to join
them in their sophisticated and cynical world.
Ms. James' new series enters the Georgian world where
ladies battle with their panniers and towering hairstyles
and the gentlemen's elegance glows with their colorful
garments and powered wigs. Chess is the rage and evolving
with new pieces. Sit back and watch this play unfold with
its large cast of characters, who are wickedly funny and
tragically sad. Aficionados will find Shakespeare
references sprinkled throughout in this beautifully written
tale.
A marquess's sheltered only daughter, Lady Roberta St.
Giles falls in love with a man she glimpses across a
crowded ballroom: a duke, a chess player of consummate
skill, a notorious rake who shows no interest in marriage --
until he lays eyes on Roberta.
Yet the Earl of Gryffyn knows too well that the price
required to gain a coronet is often too high. Damon Reeve,
the earl, is determined to protect the exquisite Roberta
from chasing after the wrong destiny.
Can Damon entice her into a high-stakes game of his own,
even if his heart is likely to be lost in the venture?.