St. Martin's Press
Featuring: Colin Byrd, Viscount Ratcliffe; Portia Crompton
320 pages ISBN: 0312943458 EAN: 9780312943455 Mass Market Paperback Add to Wish List
Portia Cromptom grew up in India, where her father operated
a successful business. When her mother caught her kissing
the maharajah's son, she uses the opportunity to bring her
children to London.
Mrs. Crompton longs to be accepted into society. She is
convinced that her husband's money will secure her the
position she desires. Portia's advantageous marriage will
do even more to bring her the place she desires.
Portia is being courted by the Duke of Albright. Portia
has no desire to marry in London. She has made a vow to
return to India and marry the man she has grown up with and
grown to love. Being outcast is a small price to pay for
the opportunity of a lifetime of happiness.
Portia is convinced she can resist the allure of the
Viscount Ratcliffe. Colin was acquitted of killing his
father but the ton has not forgiven nor forgotten his
actions. The Duke of Albright will do all he can to keep
the gossip alive. There is an implacable hatred between
the Duke and the Viscount which will entangle Portia.
When the Viscount's mother comes to town, the situation
will become more precarious. Portia learns that an epidemic
has caused the death of many in India and decides that her
lover must have died since she hasn't heard from him in
months. She accepts the Duke's proposal of marriage. Colin
makes a decision to prevent the marriage. Not only is he
in dire need of Portia's money but his love for her demands
action. This decision will precipitate a series of events
which none of them could have forseen.
While there was much about this story that was intriguing,
I felt that the plot was more convuluted than needed. Some
of the subplots distracted me from the relationship between
Portia and Colin. The characters were well-drawn and
complicated. Each had their own secrets which affected the
story greatly. There are a lot of hurdles to be overcome
before Portia and Colin can celebrate their love for each
other.
Her wealth and beauty have made Miss Portia Crompton the
catch of the season. Secretly determined to wed the
maharajah’s son she left behind in India, Portia ignores the
money-hungry bucks who ply her with bouquets and bonbons.
But one suitor will not be deterred: Colin Byrd, Viscount
Ratcliffe. He is persistent and presumptuous—and wickedly
tempting.
Colin has no delusions about romance. He’s a rogue, a
womanizer, and a murderer, and seduction comes as easily to
him as breathing. Portia’s fortune is an irresistible lure
until Colin’s mercenary scheme hits a snag. Winning her
dowry is no longer enough—he wants her heart and her
passion. The more adamant she is in her refusal, the more
determined he is to seduce her…
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