Madeleine Greenway is an exceptional planner. That talent allows her to engineer the daring rescue of a man as he walks to the gallows. It's a spectacular plan with explosions, smoke and confusion reigning throughout the rambunctious crowd gathered for the hanging. Madeleine feels pleased that the payment for her deed will allow her to travel and begin a new life in America. Arriving at the prearranged place for delivery of her "package," Madeleine gets a surprise -- her anonymous employer attempts to kill her.

Colin Eversea leads a colorful life. The youngest boy in his family, he spends his time trying to stand out from his brothers. Colin is a rogue with legendary skills of prevailing against all odds. He charms people with his good- natured teasing and flirtatious manner. Women fall at his feet and men enjoy his devil-may-care attitude. When charged with murder, Colin believes his family will intervene and prove his innocence. However, every petition is met with silence. Someone has framed him and wants him hung, disgracing his family.

After thwarting the attempt on Madeleine's life, Colin and Madeleine hurry to find clues before the soldiers track them down. There journey leads them into a dark world of grave robbers, blackmail and extortion. Along the chaotic flight, Colin awakens feelings that Madeleine thought dead. Nevertheless, they cannot have a future. Colin loves someone else, doesn't he?

Ms. Long outdoes herself with a riveting plot and characters that jump off the page. Their banter and innuendoes will delight readers as they follow the couple's adventures. Not having read Ms. Long's previous works, I will definitely check out her backstock. THE PERILS OF PLEASURE is the first installment of a new series set around the feud of the wealthy Eversea and Redmond families of Sussex, so there are more great stories to come.