Helen Mansfield's reckless brother has done the unthinkable, gambling away his sister's chastity to save his family's estate. When Helen visits the lodgings of the gentleman who has won her, hoping to make him see reason, she interrupts a carnal scene as outrageous as it is erotic. Luke Westmoreland, the illegitimate son of a duke, is clearly a rogue...and he's also the most wildly attractive man she has ever met. he offer Helen a new bargain that will give her one more year in her home. But their daily meetings quickly become sizzling lessons in wanton desire...

Once branded a smuggler and thief, Lue Westmoreland is now hailed a hero, thanks to an act of bravery at sea. Although he has taken full advantage of the women his fame has enticed, none of the strumpets lining up to share his bed has intrigued Luke as much as beautiful, spirited Helen. Their trysts are abandoned, sensual adventures that deepen into a love neither dares to admit-until another man's twisted obsession places Helen in danger...

While there was nothing overtly uniquel about the story line-like so many other Regency romances-I did enjoy the subplots that the author introduced into this book. A sinister man playing puppet master with the heroine's queer brother definitely makes the plot a bit more interesting. And to credit the author, she didn't censor or skim over the homosexual encounters between Archie and Adrian. While these scenes are not exactly enticing, they were important in developing the characters, which would have been lacking if these encounters were overlooked.

All thing said, this book is still a worthwhile read, with the perfect amount of romance, danger, and suspense to keep the story moving along at a good pace. It was easy to lose myself in this novel for hours at a time and I recommend that my fellow Regency lovers do the same.

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Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (August 29, 2006)
ISBN: 0312937997
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