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by Teresa Sweeney (Author)
Miss Arabella Barrington presses her company upon the most handsome and arrogant Viscount Thomas Bolton in order to find her fugitive brother Nathaniel. A promise she makes to her sister compels her to travel to Cornwall with his lordship, and to protect her reputation she takes on the persona of his devoted sister. The role proves troublesome when sparks fly that are far from sisterly adoration and even though she knows Viscount Thomas Bolton is far above her reach; she cannot deny her attraction to him.
Viscount Bolton is not amused to admit the strong-willed, stubborn, and independent sister of his brother's wife stirs more than his temper. However, he has too much honor to act on what could only be a dalliance with someone as common as she. His parents expect his future wife to be equal in consequence to one day carry the mantle of countess, and because of a youthful disappointment, he will not risk his heart again. He is resolute to marry for convenience.
Unfortunately, fate has other plans. Villainy abounds and Thomas seems to be the only man to keep Arabella safe when she finds trouble. More than once he extricates her from being manhandled, but his frustration turns to admiration when they are kidnapped and Arabella does not fall into tears. She suffered enough of them when their neighbor Baron Damburten assaulted her sister, fatally shot her father in the back, and sent her brother into flight after he shot the baron with his father's unspent dueling pistol.
Nathaniel is relieved to learn he did not kill Damburten, but that doesn't mean the scandal proclaiming him a murderer is resolved. Thomas and Arabella must use their wits to keep him safe as they return to London; especially when they run into the Four in Hand Club members at Salt Hill.
Arabella has never been courted, nor is she used to a man's admiring attention, but drawing the particular notice of a club member, awakens a hope she might still marry at the age of four and twenty. She might even marry advantageously. The discovery of Queen Charlotte and a titled uncle wanting to recognize her and her siblings gives Arabella the opportunity to participate in the Season's balls and galas.
Queen Charlotte has waited years to repay a kindness done for her godson and is happy to clear her debt by bestowing her royal favor on the Barrington siblings. The news the queen acknowledges them as good ton, even with scandal attached to their name, makes them the Season's wonder. Their newfound uncle, Viscount Ketterling, hosts a Presentation Ball and gives Arabella a dowry to attract suitors. Thomas' friends are among her bevy of admirers on the ballroom floors and he is disconcerted by the sight. However, the Barringtons entrée into Society is overshadowed by Damburten. The man is a threat to them and Thomas is determined to see Arabella safe.
He is so busy arranging her protection and strategizing to eliminate Damburten he has no time to marshal out his feelings. It is not until Damburten attempts Arabella's abduction that he realizes how much he cares. Arabella's exploits into trouble once frustrated him, but now, the idea of someone else coming to her rescue is anathema. He arrogantly decides she must marry him, but first Damburten's villainy must be resolved.
