“You might have heard of her she’s fond of rocks. “One of my sisters is the Viscountess Payne,” she went on. Unless you read the Prattler, which you probably don’t.” “And I’m Charlotte Highwood, of the Highwoods you’ve no reason to know. You’re Piers Brandon, the Marquess of Granville.” “No, my lord.” She belatedly remembered to curtsy. But broken bones aren’t outside the realm of possibility.” Inconvenience and mortification, chiefly. “Save me.” His low, rich voice glided over her like fine-grain leather. “Don’t be alarmed,” she said, closing the door behind her.

If the imperfections weren’t apparent on the surface, they must be hidden deep inside. The air of assured command that hovered about him, filling the room.ĭespite her nerves, she felt a prickle of curiosity. His posture, his mien, his dark sweep of hair.

But everything else about him declared perfection, as well.

High cheekbones, a squared jaw, and a nose so straight God must have drawn it with a rule. He was alone, standing behind the library desk.īy perfect, she didn’t mean handsome-although he was handsome. When she opened the door, the marquess looked up at once. Before she could talk herself out of it, Charlotte tiptoed down the corridor and put her hand on the door latch.ĭesperate mothers called for desperate measures. But impertinence was preferable to the alternative: another year of scandal and misery.ĭistant music spilled from the ballroom. To intrude on the solitude of a marquess-one to whom she hadn’t even been introduced-would be the worst sort of impertinence. In the grand scheme of English society, Charlotte was a wholly unimportant young woman. She hesitated in an alcove, engaging herself in silent debate. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who’s sworn to never love?Ĭontent advisories are available for this book. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte’s safety is the truth about his dark past. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit … and melt a woman’s knees with a single kiss. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn’t got a clue.īut as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. Unless she can discover the lovers’ true identity, she’ll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville-the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she’s ever had the misfortune to embrace. Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall?Īll Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn’t her.

Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan?.

On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library.

Tessa dare castles ever after