Lady Philippa Marbury is an odd sort. More interested in science and books, Pippa certainly brings forth her own sparkling personality to the second book of The Rules of Scoundrels
Lady Philippa Marbury is odd. The bespectacled, brilliant,
bluestockinged fifth daughter of the Marquess of Needham
and Dolby cares more for books than balls, for flora than
fashion and for science than the season. Pippa is nearly
engaged to Lord Castleton, a man with a large estate and
little sense, and interestingly, she doesnβt mind the idea.
She can live in the country with her dogs and her
experiments, and never see another London season again.
But before she heads off for the country, Pippa wants to
explore the part of London that sheβs never seen--the dark
corners, the exciting trysts, the scandalous adventures.
Just a taste...and then to the country to live out her
days. And she knows just who to ask--the tall, charming,
quick-witted bookkeeper of The Fallen Angel, Londonβs most
notorious and coveted gaming hell, known only as Cross.
Ask any woman with access to Londonβs dark corners, and
theyβll tell you that Cross is the best sort of lover--
equal parts charm and wickedness. Theyβll tell you that
their cousinβs-friendβs-sister had one magnificent night in
his arms, and that he sent her away with a string of jewels
and a smile. And theyβll tell you that, as part-owner in
The Fallen Angel, Cross knows all about darkness and isnβt
afraid to take women there.
Like any good scientist, Pippaβs done her research and
Crossβs reputation makes him perfect for her scheme. She
wants science without emotion--the experience of ruination
without the repercussions of ruination. And who better to
provide her with the experience than this legendary man?
What Pippa doesnβt know is that while Crossβs reputation
may be legendary, itβs unfounded. He hasnβt touched a woman
in nine years--a fact that makes him no stranger to
temptation. But when this odd, unexpected female
propositions him, itβs more than tempting...and it will
take everything he has to resist following his instincts,
and giving the lady precisely what she wants.