Oliver Fleming, the young Earl of Pentargon, was so unorthodox a guardian that by the time Anne was sixteen she was an incomparable horsewoman, an enthusiastic botanist -- and a hopeless hoyden. She was also, she discovered with shock, in love with her guardian. And her new woman's heart told her that his passion answered her own...

    A year ago, she would have been an honored guest--before the disgrace and death of her father. Now she must mask her face . . . but can she shield her heart from the dashing Lord David Latimer?

    — HOW FRAGILE IS THE LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE... — Lady Fairfax had lovingly raised her two orphaned grandchildren, beautiful sisters, but as unalike as a lion and a lamb. Where dark-haired Adele was pale and gentle, Clairice was a quick-tempered red head with a sharp tongue and a propensity for getting into trouble. As for marriage, Clairice would allow her grandmother to arrange a match when she was good and ready; let Adele marry that rich snob of a dandy, Lord Ault, whom she, Clairice, detested. But Fate had made her own plans for Clairice. Trapped in France on the eve of a planned invasion of England, Clairice and Lord Ault must bargain with their lives to save the people they love... and in so doing discover that quiet Adele had chosen her own husband, and Clairice and Lord Ault had chosen each other....

    Meriel was left motherless at birth, and Sydney watched over her anxiously as Meriel grew up to be ravishingly and dangerously beautiful.Now at last the ideal man to lead Meriel into the haven of lawful wedlock had appeared. Sir Max Westbrook was handsome, witty, intelligent, charming--the very model of a gentleman. If only Meriel would see Max as Sydney did, instead of losing sight of his virtues in the swarm of her suitors. If only Sydney could stop looking at her sister's perfect match in a way that could ruin even the best-laid plans. And if only this most sensible older sister could force herself to put down the maddening rebellion of her own traitor heart...

    He walks her home but they separate without knowing much of each other. They do meet again in society in the following days and we start to know more about them. Charles, Lord Mortimer had fallen in love a few years before with a woman who eventually married another, richer, man and now that he is returned to society titled and rich he hasn't been able to refuse her and they've been having an affair. Penelope is a widow, everyone believes she loved and now mourns her husband but the truth is that she was abused by a cruel husband and now supports his illegitimate children.

    There, the ravishing Lady Verena Covington shows Consuela how independent a woman can be. And there, the handsome Viscount Henry Linto introduces her to the intoxication of first love--and the peril of ruinous scandal.