It was by chance that a year ago, Fiona Lachlan caught a
glimpse of the Duke of Holburn at a ball. Her heart stopped
and Fiona knew that he was the man for her. However, the
Fates decreed she must lose everything before she
encounters him again. Needing money for food and rent,
Fiona takes a job to lure a gentleman into his deposed
mistress' grasp for her to exact her revenge. Instead, when
Fiona walks into the inn, she finds herself facing Nick,
the Duke of Holburn. Explanations are halted when ruffians,
with orders to kill the duke, bang down the door. Quick
thinking and luck enable Fiona and Nick to escape.
Nine years ago in Greece after a bout of drunken
debauchery, Nick saw a vision of a deformed crone transform
into a vibrant woman. She uttered the prophecy, "Beware
innocence." Unable to interpret the meaning, Nick ignores
it and continues with the pretense of duty while spending
his nights gambling and womanizing. Since that encounter
though, Nick discovers his luck has changed. He no longer
loses at cards and for the first time, he begins to fill
the empty coffers in his estate. When Nick receives
information about his signet ring that he lost in Greece,
he arrives at the inn prepared to do bodily harm for its
return. He does not expect to encounter the beautiful woman
from his vision -- or thugs with guns.
Drawn to Fiona, Nick keeps her by his side while they try
to uncover who wants him dead. The prophecy comes back to
haunt him as he tries to determine if Fiona is
the "innocence" he must be "beware" of.
The three Fates from Greek mythology have inspired Ms.
Maxwell's latest story. A fairy tale quality gently infuses
Nick and Fiona's story while the adventure and mystery
counter with a harder edge. A wonderful read to get readers
in the Christmas spirit.
Desperation and an empty stomach forced Fiona Lachlan to
agree to a plan that ended up luring the wickedly notorious
Duke of Holburn into trouble. Everything went terribly
wrong, and now she has found herself posing as his ward!
And while she swore nothing could make her desire a
scoundrel, even if he was a duke, she is now drawing ever
closer to the one man she cannot have . . .
\"Beware of innocence!\"
The Duke of Holburn had spent years heeding this warning,
and in doing so, managed to avoid the virginal young ladies
who had been put in his path. But now his wild ways have
gotten him into real danger. There are killers at the door
and a temptingly beautiful woman in his arms. He is about
to find himself seduced . . . and he isn\'t quite sure he
wants to resist this time.
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