Antonia Mannering refused to become an old maid!She was a young woman with plans, and Lord Philip Ruthven played a large part in them. Though the childhood friends had not seen one another in years, she was perfectly aware that Philip had no lack of female companionship. But he had never married, and it was high time he did. If she could prove to him that she was capable of running his home and would not disgrace him in society, Antonia was certain he would propose a comfortable arrangement. But never had she expected that their hearts would somehow find their way into the bargain!

Jack Lester has to find a bride…But where can he find the perfect woman? She has to be attractive, kind, a good conversationalist… and more important, she has to accept him as he is: devilishly handsome, charming and, as far as anyone knows, poor as a church mouse! If London society discovers his hidden wealth, he'll never find the right wife.Jack's heart races when he first lays eyes on Sophie Winterton. She is everything he desires – and more – but he is caught in his own trap. Believing that Jack needs to marry into wealth, Sophie rejects all his advances, certain he would never marry a poor girl like her. As they play out a game of cat and mouse, can Jack convince her that she is the woman he wants – and that he is the husband she deserves?

Publisher's WeeklyRegency romance juggernaut Laurens shows signs of fatigue in the third book of her Bastion Club septet (after The Lady Chosen and A Gentleman's Honor). Lord Charles St. Austell, earl of Lostwithiel, is one of the seven noble members of the Bastion Club ("a last bastion against the matchmakers of the ton") who served as spies during the Napoleonic wars and who still do a bit of investigating for the Crown when they're not braving eager ladies on the marriage mart. At his country estate, Charles encounters old friend (and old flame) Lady Penelope Selborne, who's up to her neck in intrigue. Penny's late brother may have been involved in schemes to smuggle secrets to France during the war-schemes that seem to be continuing with new sources even after his death. The novel features all the steamy sensuality for which Laurens is known, but the sex scenes lack the spark typical of her best work; Penny and Charles spend far too much time staring longingly at each other, dutifully denying their own urges. The unwieldy spy plot, meanwhile, progresses with agonizing slowness as the two interrogate every suspicious newcomer in town. Dedicated fans will probably stick with Laurens through the remaining four Bastion Club titles, but she's going to have to pick up the pace if she's to keep others intrigued. Agent, Nancy Yost. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Six notorious cousins, known to the ton as the Bar Cynster, have cut a swath through the ballrooms of London. Yet one by one, each has fallen in love and married the woman of his heart, until only one of them is left unclaimed…the most rakish of Stephanie Laurens' captivating clan…and he's not about to go easily.Alasdair Cynster – known to his intimates as Lucifer – decides to rusticate in the country before the matchmaking skills of London's mamas become firmly focused on him, the last unwed Cynster. But an escape to Devon leads him straight to his destiny in the irresistible form of Phyllida Tallent, a willful, independent beauty of means who brings all his masterful Cynster instincts rioting to the fore. Lucifer tries to deny the desire Phyllida evokes – acting on it will land him in a parson's mousetrap, one place he's sworn never to go. But destiny intervenes, leaving him to face the greatest Cynster challenge – wooing a reluctant bride.Phyllida has had a bevy of suitors – her charm and wit are well known throughout the countryside – but none of them has tempted her the way Lucifer does. His offer to teach her all about the ways of love is almost too tantalizing to resist. And though she's not yet completely surrendered, she knows only a fool stands against a Cynster…and Phyllida is no one's fool.

In a moment of recklessness, Gervase Tregarth, 6th Earl of Crowhurst, swears he'll marry the next eligible lady to cross his path. Cloistered at his ancestral castle in Cornwall, with nary a suitable woman for miles, he never expects he'll have to fulfill his pledge, at least not until the London Season begins. But then he meets his neighbor, the very appealing Madeline Gascoigne.Years of secret service to the Crown have taught Gervase the value of always having a loophole-there will be no wedding if he and Madeline are incompatible in any way. So he sets out to prove that they would make a most dreadful match… by luring her into his arms and, ultimately, his bed.From their very first kiss, Gervase discovers that the headstrong and independent Madeline is no meek country miss… and that the fire between them will burn long beyond that first seduction.

One of the brightest stars of romantic fiction, the incomparable New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens flings wide the gates of the Bastion Club – an elite society of unmarried London gentlemen dedicated to determining their own matrimonial futures. Here, in one volume, are two of the author's most captivating and sensuous novels: a "prequel" that brilliantly sets the stage for the popular series and an early Bastion delight.Captain Jack's WomanRebellious Kathryn "Kit" Cranmer finds adventure at the head of a rag-tag band of smugglers. But her dashing, ruthless rival, the notorious Captain Jack, rules the night – and becoming this bold man of mystery's woman will carry Kit to new heights of excitement beyond anything she's ever dreamed.A Gentleman's HonorAnthony Blake, Viscount Torrington, believes Alicia Carrington when the frightened young beauty swears she's innocent in the murder of the villain who was blackmailing her. But it is more than honor that compels the handsome nobleman to protect her, and to do everything in his seductive power to make Alicia his.

Los solteros más codiciados y aventureros de Londres se han unido para formar el Bastion Club, una sociedad de élite para caballeros dedicada a determinar el futuro de sus miembros en lo referente al matrimonio.Los hombres del Bastion Club han demostrado su valor luchando secretamente por su país. Ahora su líder se enfrenta a la más peligrosa de todas las misiones: encontrar una novia.Actuando como el misterioso líder del Bastion Club conocido como «Dalziel», Royce Henry Varisey, X duque de Wolverstone, ha servido a su país durante décadas, enfrentándose a innombrables peligros. Pero como poseedor de uno de los títulos de nobleza más augustos de Inglaterra, ahora debe cumplir con la labor más crucial de todas: el matrimonio.No obstante, las jóvenes y las grandes damas que podrían ser apropiadas son predeciblemente aburridas. Mucho más tentadora resulta la terca y distante ama de llaves de su castillo, Minerva Chesterton. Bajo su sereno exterior se esconde una mujer de ardiente sensualidad, que colmaría sus días de comodidades y sus noches de puro placer. Decidido a reclamarla, se embarca en una seducción para demostrar su maestría sobre cada centímetro de su cuerpo… y cada fibra de su corazón.

Jonas Tallent, emparentado con los célebres Cynster, es apuesto, rico y de buena familia, y se dedica a disfrutar de la vida. Juega a las cartas hasta el amanecer y coquetea con las damas más deseadas de la sociedad londinense. Cuando empieza a sentirse inquieto y aburrido por tanta frivolidad, se ve obligado a tomar las riendas de la hacienda familiar en el Devon rural. Una de sus primeras decisiones es contratar un nuevo encargado para la posada de su propiedad, pero descubre que hay poca gente dispuesta a vivir en un lugar tan pequeño y tranquilo.Es entonces cuando Emily Beauregard, una refinada dama venida a menos, solicita el puesto. Jonas cree que las damas, en especial las que son tan atractivas como Emily, deben estar en los salones de baile o en los dormitorios, no en las posadas. Sin embargo, no tiene alternativa, y de mala gana permite que la joven demuestre su valía.Pero Emily guarda un secreto. No ha llegado a Devon impulsada sólo por la necesidad de mantener a sus hermanos, sino que la anima un objetivo muy concreto y ambicioso…

She was unquestionably a lady. Still, that had never stopped him before. He could see that she was not, he thought, that young. Even better. Another twinge of pain from behind his eyes lent a harshness to his voice. "Who the devil are you?" In no way discomposed, she answered, "My name is Caroline Twinning. And if you really are the Duke of Twyford, then I'm very much afraid I'm your ward… "Max Rotherbridge couldn't believe it. Along with the dukedom of Twyford, he – London's most notorious rogue – had inherited wardship of four devilishly attractive sisters! Including the irresistible Caroline Twinning. The eldest Twinning was everything he had ever wanted in a woman, but even Max couldn't seduce his own ward… or could he? After all, he did have a substantial reputation to protect. And what better challenge than the one woman capable of stealing his heart?The first romances New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens ever read were those of Georgette Heyer, and romances set in Regency England continue to be her favorites. After escaping from the dry world of professional science, Stephanie took up writing such romances for her own pleasure. Four in Hand was one of the eight original Regency romances that she wrote before turning her hand to longer, historical romances set in the Regency period.Now residing in a leafy bayside suburb of Melbourne, Australia, Stephanie divides her free time between her husband, two teenage daughters and an affable idiot of a hound. She also enjoys gardening and needlework.

Tristan Wemyss, conde de Trentham, nunca esperó tener que casarse en el plazo de un año para no perder su herencia. Pero él no se someterá a los deseos de las madres casamenteras de la sociedad. No, él se casará con una dama de su propia elección. Y la dama que ha escogido es su encantadora vecina. La señorita Leonora Carling tiene belleza, espíritu y pasión; desgraciadamente, el matrimonio es la última cosa en su mente.Para Leonora, los besos de Tristan son muy tentadores. Pero, como dice el refrán, el que se quema con leche cuando ve una vaca llora y ella ha decidido alejarse del matrimonio.Tristan es un veterano experimentado y no aceptará la derrota. Por eso, cuando un misterioso hombre intenta ahuyentar a Leonora y su familia de su casa, Tristan comprende que tiene la excusa perfecta para ofrecer sus servicios como protector, seductor y marido.

Tristan Wemyss, conde de Trentham, nunca esperó tener que casarse en el plazo de un año para no perder su herencia. Pero él no se someterá a los deseos de las madres casamenteras de la sociedad. No, él se casará con una dama de su propia elección. Y la dama que ha escogido es su encantadora vecina. La señorita Leonora Carling tiene belleza, espíritu y pasión; desgraciadamente, el matrimonio es la última cosa en su mente.Para Leonora, los besos de Tristan son muy tentadores. Pero, como dice el refrán, el que se quema con leche cuando ve una vaca llora y ella ha decidido alejarse del matrimonio.Tristan es un veterano experimentado y no aceptará la derrota. Por eso, cuando un misterioso hombre intenta ahuyentar a Leonora y su familia de su casa, Tristan comprende que tiene la excusa perfecta para ofrecer sus servicios como protector, seductor y… marido.

Penelope Ashford se ha criado con todas las ventajas: riqueza, posición, y belleza. Sin embargo, dista mucho ser la típica señorita de sociedad: es enérgica, terca y directa hasta las últimas consecuencias; durante años se ha dedicado a dirigir una institución de asistencia para los huérfanos. Pero ahora sus pupilos están desapareciendo misteriosamente. Desesperada, recurre al único hombre que conoce y que podría ayudarla: Barnaby Adair.Apuesto descendiente de una noble familia, Adair se ha labrado un nombre dentro de la política y en los círculos judiciales. Sus poderes de seducción y observación combinados con pedigrí le han llevado a resolver diversos crímenes de gravedad dentro de la sociedad. Aunque la hace sentirse irritantemente incómoda, Penelope se presenta a altas horas de la noche ante la puerta de su residencia de soltero, decidida a reclutarle para su causa.Barnaby acepta su desafío, intrigado por su historia tanto como por la mujer, su audaz belleza e innegable intelecto forman un impresionante contraste con las demás señoritas de sociedad, por lo general insípidas. Reclutando la ayuda del inspector Basil Stokes, se infiltran en las calles de Londres. Pero mientras desentrañan el misterio, descubren el rastro de un criminal arraigado en la misma recientemente creada organización para proteger a los londinenses. Y dicho criminal está al tanto de ellos y de sus esfuerzos, y está preparado para amenazar todo lo que aprecian, incluido sus recientes conocimientos sobre las intrigas del corazón humano.

London's most eligile – and adventurous – bachelors have banded together to form the Bastion Club, an elite society of gentleman dedicated to determining their own futures when it comes to marriage!

Content with her humdrum country life, Miss Dorothea Darent had no intention of marrying. She knew that her unfashionable curves and her outspoken ways made her a disastrous match for any gentleman of the ton. But one kiss from a dashing stranger changed everything.

They're bold, courageous, resolute… ex-officers of the Crown united against a deadly traitor known only as the Black Cobra.Shipwrecked, wounded, he risks all to pursue his mission – only to discover a partner as daring and brazen as he.Fiery, tempestuous, a queen in her own realm, she rescues a warrior – only to find her heart under siege.Bound by passion, linked by need, together they must brave the enemy's gauntlet to win all their hearts' desire.

They proved their bravery fighting for His Majesty's Secret Service and were rewarded with brides of great beauty and breeding. But one member of the Bastion Club has remained a bachelor… until now."Christian, I need your help. There is no one else I can turn to… L."When Christian Allardyce, 6th Marquess of Dearne, reads those words, his world turns upside down. Lady Letitia Randall is a woman like no other, and the day he left her behind to fight for king and country was the most difficult of his life. He never forgot the feel of her lips against his, but never expects to see her again. Yet now she seeks his help, and Christian knows he will not resist her plea.Letitia believes that Christian abandoned her when she needed him most, and she hates to call on his aid. But to clear her brother's name, she has sworn to use every weapon at her command, even if it means seducing her ex-lover. Yet all the while, Christian is waging a war of his own – a campaign of pure pleasure and sweet revenge that will take them both beyond the edge of desire.

Gareth Hamilton is stunned when he recognizes Emily Ensworth on his ship. The veil she wears is not enough to disguise her from him – or from the man hired to kill her. Whisking Emily to safety, Gareth realizes that the Black Cobra is on to them. In order to protect her, Gareth must let Emily in on the dangerous plot she is now intimately involved in. Emily Ensworth is no wilting flower. She knew the packet the dying soldier thrust upon her held vital information, and she has every intention of seeing it into safe hands. But she is also determined to bring the men trying to kill her to justice. Together, she and Gareth do their best to lure the Black Cobra and his men into the open. Putting their lives at risk draws Emily and Gareth ever closer together, the constant danger sparking a passion neither one can resist. But with threats lurking around every corner, Gareth and Emily must work harder than ever to make sure that their newfound love isn't snuffed out before it ever has a chance.

The Barnes Noble ReviewIn this captivating historical romance about Stephanie Laurens's intriguing Cynster family, an unexpectedly perilous house party is the setting for an equally unexpected love match between Simon Cynster and Portia Ashford. Simon has known Portia for ages, and his natural protectiveness toward her has always encouraged her defiance. Their clashes have only gotten worse since his sister wed her brother (in On a Wicked Dawn). But, when Portia decides it's time for her to explore the passions that inspire men and women to marry, she needs a tutor who is both discreet and accomplished. Despite Simon's rakish reputation, she knows she can trust him absolutely…if she can persuade him to go along with her wild plan. What she doesn't know is that Simon has also decided it's time to marry, and he's prepared to employ all his seductive wiles to persuade Portia to become not just his paramour but also his wife. In a family known for bold warriors and passionate lovers, Simon Cynster is about to prove himself The Perfect Lover. This volume also includes a teaser chapter for Laurens's exciting Bastion Club series, scheduled to debut in the fall of 2003. Sue Stone

When New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens created the Cynsters, a phenomenon was born. Bold, passionate, and possessive, the Cynster men let nothing stand in their way when it comes to claiming the women of their hearts. Now, Stephanie Laurens has written her most romantic and powerful novel to date, one that dares tell The Truth About Love.Gerrard Debbington is one of the chosen few – the gentlemen who've learned their social and amorous skills at the feet of the masters. Handsome and wealthy, protégé and brother-in-law of Vane Cynster, Gerrard is part of the charmed Cynster family circle. One of the most eligible gentlemen in the ton, Gerrard is constantly besieged by offers from London's most sought-after beauties, but as the ton's foremost artistic lion, there's only one offer he wants to accept – the chance to paint the fantastical but seldom-seen gardens of reclusive Lord Tregonning's Hellebore Hall.That chance is dangled before Gerrard, but to grasp it he must fulfill Lord Tregonning's demand that he also create an open and honest portrait of the man's daughter. Gerrard loathes the idea of wasting his time and talents on some simpering miss, but with no alternative, he agrees…Only to discover that Jacqueline Tregonning inspires him as no other lady has. Certainly she is beautiful, but Gerrard is stunned by the deep emotions she stirs and is captivated by her passionate nature and innate goodness. He is soon convinced that Jacqueline is the soul mate he needs as his wife.But something is horribly wrong at Hellebore Hall. Evil lurks in the beautiful gardens and along the rambling pathways. And that evil reaches out to ensnare Jacqueline, trapping her in a web of insidious whispers – whispers that paint her as a double murderess.The rumors are false, but someone is actively spreading them. Convinced that Jacqueline is innocent of all wrongdoing, Gerrard is confident his portrait will open others' eyes to the truth he sees, but when a long-dead body is discovered in the gardens, the campaign to blame Jacqueline escalates – Gerrard and she are running out of time. The days they spend together lead to nights of sweeping passion – and Gerrard vows to move heaven and earth to protect the woman who, for him, personifies the truth about love.