Her Scandalous Intentions

Miss Charlotte Hastings may be an innocent, but she is uncommonly prudent, which is why she will settle for nothing less than absolute integrity in a husband. But when James Morgan, the devastatingly seductive Duke of Girard, rescues her from a midnight attacker during a house party - leaving the two caught tousled in her bedroom - she goes along with the duke's impulsive proclamation of marriage, for now. Her reputation may be saved, but she will not let her heart be trifled with so quickly. Though he may be the ton's most captivating male, he is definitely hiding something and Charlotte is determined to uncover the truth -- without falling for the dashing duke's sinful charms.

James is certain the beguiling Charlotte holds the key to a traitorous conspiracy and he will stop at nothing to expose the scheme - even if it means claiming her for his bride. But his exquisite "fiancée" is decidedly not what she appears. His mind knows it would be madness to fall in love with the vexing creature. Now if only his impulse were to stay away....

Read an excerpt:

James rubbed his chin and added disarmingly, "From your silence, am I to understand that I have quite a road ahead to win your esteem?"

"Why do you care a fig about my approval?"

"We are engaged to be married, for one."

"It is a pretense. You said yourself, that it should all be over by the close of the Season."

"Yes, well, to the world we are betrothed, and I would assume that we would want to be on good terms since we will be living together and socializing as a couple."

The idea of all of the balls and outings made her want to run into her studio and bar the door. She was safer with her clay and paints than being at the mercy of the dagger-tongued ladies of the ton. Oh dear, and she was going to need to outfit herself for all of these social occasions. Just the thought of the challenge of appearing somewhat stylish while at the same time covered the bruises and marks on her body made her shudder with dread. It also reminded her that James was the one who had saved her from the beastly man in her room.

"It is just, well, we did not exactly get off to a good start," she offered.

"I was quite awful wasn't I?"

"Yes, you were."

"An unfeeling blackguard?"

Unbidden, her lips quirked. "A monster, actually."

He grimaced. "I was doing a better job than I had intended."

"You are quite the effective villain, you know. You have a real talent for it." Heat warmed her cheeks. Heavens, was she flirting?

"I am not the only one. You certainly were capable of defending yourself, made me think that you had been professionally trained."

She suppressed a pleased smile. "Lieutenant Freeman deserves the credit. He is quite a worthy instructor. He really gets down to the meat and bones of it."

He shifted in his seat, adjusting his breeches. "Yes, I know."

She looked down at his lap and then ripped her eyes up to his face, aghast. Her cheeks flamed. "Ah, ah, ah . . ." Her tongue would not work and her eyes raced about the cabin, looking anywhere but at him.

He grasped her chin and turned her face towards him. "Do not worry, Charlotte, you did not cause any permanent harm."

He pressed his smooth lips to hers and suddenly she could not breath. Her eyes widened as tingles lanced down her body. His mouth was soft and curved delicately at the edges, fitting her lips like it was designed specifically for her. His lips parted slightly and his tongue flicked playfully across her teeth and into her mouth, boldly caressing her tongue and causing the most titillating sensation quite a far distance from her lips.

Her heart skipped a beat and she pulled back, thunderstruck.

He watched her through hooded eyes. "Have you never been kissed before, Charlotte?"

She blinked. God heavens! Myles Wilmington had never kissed her like that and she had been in love the rogue! She licked her lips trying to collect herself but it only revived the stirring sensation of his tongue touching hers.

"A true apology comes with a kiss, does it not?" he asked mischievously.

"Who is apologizing, you or me?" she sputtered breathlessly.

"It was hopefully a shared pleasure, let it be a mutual thing."

She raised her hand to her lips. "I, I do not think that we should do that again."

"Why not? This is an awful mess, we might as well make the best of a bad situation." He traced his hand down her cheek, causing her breath to catch in her throat. "Besides, we must learn to appear to be in love. It is only natural for us to exhibit affection."