Ruined! No, that couldn't be right! Marissa York still could not believe what her brother was saying. After all, she had just been a little curious about Peter White's ability as a lover and maybe had a tad too much wine, but definitely, that was not ruined, was it?

When the full implications of what her brother said hit her and the tongues started wagging, Marissa realized that her reputation was truly in jeopardy. She could not consider marrying Peter White, much as he shone on the dance floor. Then Aidan accepted his good friend's offer to marry his sister. Marissa was shocked to think about being married to such a brute of a man, no matter that Jude Bertrand was a duke's son. Impossible! She was going to try every tactic she could think of to get out of this mess.

Despite her penchant for flirting, especially with the handsome dandies with sexy thighs who looked so romantic in their tight fitting trousers, Jude had always fancied Marissa and the streak of wildness that occasionally escaped from her carefully groomed ladylike manner. How he hoped that while on their "betrothal" he could make her love him. But how could he get her eyes off the glamor and glitter of the dance floor to see into his heart?

Leading off a new series about the York family and their notorious members and friends, Victoria Dahl's latest romance set in 1847 England is off to a great start with strong characters and interesting plot development. Dahl fans will enjoy how the spirited and self-centered Marissa gradually deals with her shortsighted behavior while still shooting indignant sparks when men try to impose their will on her. Jude is that hero with the inner strength of character and with a little polish, who knows what will happen?