Once Upon a Wallflower

All of London gossips about the Duke of Montrose. A recluse. Inflicted with a terrible disease. A gargoyle with a terrible temper. But he's also the most important patron of the centuries-old book shop that belongs to Miss Elizabeth Sharpe's family. Now she's been charged with delivering books to the Gargoyle of London herself-or risk their shop falling into ruin. But surely a duke can't be that ghastly . . . Garrett Maximilian doesn't give a tinker's damn what society says about him. Most of them are sycophants, bowing and scraping in his presence. But not this proud, redheaded spitfire of a woman standing before him. In fact, nothing makes him feel more alive than Miss Elizabeth tartly criticizing his books. Perhaps he just needs a plan to keep her close . . . The duke's glower doesn't terrify Elizabeth as much as it fascinates her. And worse, he looks at her with a dark hunger that should make her shake with fear-not desire. But Elizabeth's father has sinister plans in store for his daughter . . . and this beastly duke might be her only salvation. Contains mature themes.

Dressmaker Miss Lily Martin knows too well the sordid dealings of London's corrupt underbelly. She should have known borrowing from one of the city's most reviled moneylenders was risky. Now the loan has come due-and there's nothing standing between Miss Lily and her darling sister's ruin. Until a dashing American with flashing, defiant eyes intervenes... Ship captain James Blakefield may be the new Duke of Ashbridge, but he's only in London for six weeks to secure his estate before returning to America, and far from the watchful eye of the ton. He'll be damned if he'll attend another society event where eligible ladies fling themselves at his title. But when he discovers Miss Lily's desperate predicament, James realizes he might have the perfect arrangement. By assuming the legal guardianship of Lily's sister, he can keep them both safe and ensure someone cares for the estate. But it means having Lily under the same roof. As their undeniable attraction charges the very air between them, both propriety and restraint are threatened. But scandal is the least of their concerns when James's secret threatens to pull everything apart at the seams... Contains mature themes.

For as long as pamphlet writer Rose Digby can remember, certain men of the ton gallivant about town with their own set of rules. Whether it's gambling, drink, or women, these playboys of London suffer no consequences. When someone she holds dear falls prey to a rake of the highest order Rose is determined to expose them all. But she needs a way to enter their world undetected... Alexander Markby, the sixth Earl of Derby, is her brother's closest friend and is positively rife with roguishness. Too much money, too much time, and much too well-endowed... with good looks (obviously). He's the perfect cover to help Rose infiltrate his world. He has just one rule. In the name of "protecting" her-she must pose as his mistress. The very idea! Now Rose will have to become what she loathes. She'll have to flutter her eyelashes, flatter the Earl of Derby, and pretend to be completely, utterly, and totally smitten with him. But it's for a good cause. Because there's nothing more dangerously charming-and completely ruinous-than a rake. No matter if he's friend, foe... or hiding a secret that will shake the foundations of Rose's world. Contains mature themes.