Dangerous in Diamonds

When Lady Lydia Alfreton is blackmailed over the shocking contents of a manuscript she once wrote, she must go to the most desperate of measures to raise the money to buy back the ill-considered prose: agreeing to an old wager posed by the arrogant, dangerous Duke of Penthurst. At least Penthurst is a man she wouldnand#8217;t mind fleecingand#151;and sheand#8217;s confident sheand#8217;ll win.

Penthurst long ago concluded Lydia was a woman in search of ruinous adventure, but even he is surprised when she arrives at his house ready to bet her innocence against his ten thousand poundsand#151;a wager he only proposed to warn her off gambling.

When she loses to a simple draw of the cards, Lydia is shocked. Now, her problems are twofold: a blackmailer determined to see her pay and a duke determined to tame her rebellious ways. One misstep and Lydia could find herself ruinedand#151;or bound to the seductive man who would make her his duchess.

-Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal

-John Charles, Booklist

"Another stellar Regency-set historical romance that hits all the literary marks. Hunterand#8217;s effortlessly elegant writing exudes a wicked sense of wit; her characterization is superbly subtle, and the sexual chemistry she cooks up between her deliciously independent heroine and delightfully sexy hero is pure passion."and#8212;Booklist (starred review)

"Intelligent and memorable...As smart and sharp as the best of Regency romances can be.and#160; With its tangy dialogue, Pride and Prejudice themes, bits of mystery and nefarious characters, readers may be reminded of Jane Austen."and#8212;Romantic Times (Top Pick)

and#8220;Hunterand#8217;s books are so addictive.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly

and#8220;Hunter's flowery centerpiece will suit every romance table. Highly recommended.and#8221;and#8212;Library Journal

"Blackmailed and faced with embarrassment and the suspicion of treason if the draft of her ill-advised, racy adventure novel is made public, unconventional Lady Lydia Alfreton heads to the gaming tables to raise some cash. Sadly, her gambling plan goes awry, and she is forced to call in an old bet with the Duke of Penthurst and recklessly wager (and lose) her virtue. Although the duke doesnand#8217;t plan to collect, he keeps Lydia guessing. Then Lydiaand#8217;s ill-advised attempt to deal with the blackmailer brings Penthurst to the rescue, compromising them both, and suddenly itand#8217;s marriage, not simple seduction, that lay ahead. VERDICT A rash, adventure-seeking heroine and an honorable, take-charge hero clash splendidly as passions blaze in this complex story that pairs another marvelously singular couple, brings the bad guys to justice, and cleverly ties up the loose ends...and#8212;to the delight of all concerned." --Library Journal

"Fueled by an abundance of subtle wit and potent sensuality, The Accidental Duchess...is another exquisitely crafted love story by one of the romance genreand#8217;s masters." --Booklist

Praise for the novels of Madeline Hunter

"Another stellar Regency-set historical romance that hits all the literary marks. Hunterand#8217;s effortlessly elegant writing exudes a wicked sense of wit; her characterization is superbly subtle, and the sexual chemistry she cooks up between her deliciously independent heroine and delightfully sexy hero is pure passion."and#8212;Booklist (starred review)

"Intelligent and memorable...As smart and sharp as the best of Regency romances can be.and#160; With its tangy dialogue, Pride and Prejudice themes, bits of mystery and nefarious characters, readers may be reminded of Jane Austen."and#8212;Romantic Times (Top Pick)

and#8220;Hunterand#8217;s books are so addictive.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly

and#8220;Hunter's flowery centerpiece will suit every romance table. Highly recommended.and#8221;and#8212;Library Journal

Outrageously wealthy, the Duke of Castleford has little incentive to curb his profligate ways-gaming and whoring with equal abandon and enjoying his hedonistic lifestyle to the fullest. When a behest adds a small property to his vast holdings, one that houses a modest flower business known as The Rarest Blooms, Castleford sees little to interest him...until he lays eyes on its owner. Daphne Joyes is coolly mysterious, exquisitely beautiful, and utterly scathing toward a man of Castleford's stamp-in short, an object worthy of his most calculated seduction.

Daphne has no reason to entertain Castleford's outrageous advances, and every reason to keep him as far away as possible from her eclectic household. Not only has she been sheltering young ladies who have been victims of misfortune, but she has her own closely guarded secrets. Then Daphne makes a discovery that changes everything. She and Castleford have one thing in common: a profound hatred for the Duke of Becksbridge, who just happens to be Castleford's relative.

Never before were two people less likely to form an alliance-or to fall in love...

Audrianna Kelmsleigh is unattached, independent-and armed. Her adversary is Lord Sebastian Sommerhays. What they have in common is Audrianna's father, who died in a scandalous conspiracy-a deserved death in Sebastian's eyes. Audrianna vows to clear her father's name, never expecting to fall in love with the man devoted to destroying it...

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After two years, Grayson Bridlington, The Earl of Hawkeswell, has located his missing bride Verity Thompson. Coerced into marrying Hawkeswell by her duplicitous cousin, Verity fled London for the countryside. Now, the couple must make the most of an arranged marriage-even if it means surrendering to their shared desire.

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Welcome to a world of chivalry, danger, legends, and love. These four original novellas bring to life all the romance and adventure of the Middle Ages, with the common thread of a rich medieval tapestry woven through each tale.

After two years, Grayson Bridlington, The Earl of Hawkeswell, has located his missing bride Verity Thompson. Coerced into marrying Hawkeswell by her duplicitous cousin, Verity fled London for the countryside. Now, the couple must make the most of an arranged marriage-even if it means surrendering to their shared desire.

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Gareth Fitzallen is celebrated for four things: his handsome face, his notable charm, his aristocratic connections, and an ability to give the kind of pleasure that has women begging for more. Normally he bestows his talents on experienced, worldly women. But when he heads to Langdonand#8217;s End to restore a property he inheritedand#151;and to investigate a massive art theftand#151;he lays plans to seduce a most unlikely lady.

Eva Russell lives a spinsterand#8217;s life of precarious finances and limited dreams while clinging to her familyand#8217;s old gentry status. She supports herself by copying paintings while she plots to marry her lovely sister to a well-established man. Everyone warns her of Garethand#8217;s reputation, and advises her to lock her sister away. Only it is not her sister Gareth desires. One look, and she knows he is trouble. One kiss, however, proves she is no match for this master of seduction.