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Nicholas Eden, devilishly handsome rake, doesn't take kindly to his mistress' plans to arouse his jealousy, so, when he sees her carriage in front of London's most notorious scoundrel's townhouse, he snatches her up on his horse, covering her head, and locks her in his bedroom, to cool her heels and miss the most important ball of the season. Unfortunately for Nicholas, the young lady in his room is not his mistress, but Regina Ashton, niece to the scoundrel. Thinking to find an irate woman upon his return, Nicholas is charmed by the amused and very lovely Reggie, who understands what happened, and promises to forget the whole thing. He takes her home, but not before a stolen kiss - a kiss that proves her ally when her disappearance becomes known to all of London society. Finding a perfect match in Nicholas, Reggie appeals to her guardian uncles to help settle the deal, knowing they will never agree to her marrying anyone anyway. Nicholas Eden does not want a wife, however, due to his fear of his own bastardy becoming known, and it takes many threats and arguments from Reggie's uncles and his own grandmother to make it come about. Once married, Nicholas leaves his new wife to his aserbic mother and decides to leave England, knowing Reggie will soon learn the truth and he will lose her love and respect forever. Kidnapped by the pirate that Nicholas has gone in search for, Reggie has little to fear, except being forced back on a husband who has made it clear he does not want her. Back in England, Nicholas finds that being a bastard has no effect on Regina's feelings for him, and soon armed with the knowledge of his true parentage, he is ready to accept his wife and her family and live happily ever after. "Not bloody well likely."
Published 1985
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