Böcker av Edith Layton

Post-Civil War New York was a golden city where wealth waited for the bold, and everything had its price. Well-born but impoverished Lucy Markham seeks her fortune on the stage under a false name-and becomes the toast of the town just as millionaire Josh Dylan arrives in the city. The moment Josh sees Lucy, he wants her-but only as his mistress. And Lucy realizes she must try to quell her desire for him. For neither can afford to surrender to the one thing that threatens their carefully laid plans: Love.

Miss Victoria Dawkins was in a most perilous position. Cast out of respectable society by a scurrilous slur on her good name, alone and penniless in the London lower depths, this proud but all too vulnerable young lady could not afford to turn down the Earl of Clune's offer. The elegant, handsome, and clearly conscienceless nobleman wished to engage Victoria as a companion to an elderly woman on his great country estate. Victoria had no illusions about the earl's intentions toward her. But she was not prepared for a different kind of danger in a manor where the vengeful ghost of a scandalous past sought her as its victim. Somehow Victoria had to stop the earl from suspecting he held the key to her heart. And she had to stop herself from yielding to a mysterious menace that she could not believe in or deny…

He sailed to England for revenge…She journeyed there for love. Five-year-old Della Kensington first saw the proud, half-starved bond boy who dared call himself a dispossessed earl on the docks of Virginia Colony. The moment she laid eyes on him she loved him. And from that day, in spite of all evidence, she believed his bizarre story, that he was truly Jared St. Andrew Bellington, Earl of Aveston-nobly born, kidnapped, and sold into bondage. Della had grown into a woman wanting him. Jared had grown into a man burning for revenge. When at last he could return to his beloved Hawkstone Hall, he entered a world of bejeweled ladies and elegantly attired gentlemen, a world he intended to conquer-no matter the cost to his life. Fashionable Georgian England dazzled sweet Della, but her eyes remained clear. She saw that if Jared gained everything he'd sought, she might lose him forever, and he might lose his chance at real happiness. She was ready to fight on this new terrain for his love-dancing a quadrille of intrigue and desire, risking all, and challenging his elegant world with her irrepressible heart.

With her sunset hair and flashing mocha eyes, Cristabel Stew is a rare jewel for any man. But for Old Captain Whiskey, the most notorious pirate sea dog of the Caribbean, his daughter is more precious than the richest swag of gold and silk. When he brings back a proper English gent from his latest plunder, his plan for her future seems secure. The prized captive is none other than Magnus Titus Snow, Viscount of Camcen Hall, a blue-blood with wealth enough for a freebooter's ransom. In a hasty ceremony, Captain Whiskey weds the unwilling nobleman to his spirited brigand lass, making her Lady Cristabel Snow-a TRUE lady. But Cristable, too, has a scheme. Raised among cutthroats, she has vowed never to surrender to any man. She will sail back with her new spouse as far as London. Then she will bid him and her pirate life farewell, and seek her fortune as a free woman. But, in a moment's breath, the dream is dashed. For her reluctant husband reveals a secret of his own, a surprising and scandalous truth that will turn her father's heart as black as his sins…and draw her into the arms of a dangerously seductive man she will not, dare not, love.

Felicia, a beautiful innocent faced with the passion of an irresistible rake. Adela, unable to forgive her husband for what he has done to her. Bronwen, forced to choose between a proper marriage and an impossible desire. Marjorie, an unpolished heiress who becomes the target of society's most jaded gentleman. Rachel, a wife who finds that the marriage game is played with shocking rules in high society. Five enchanting heroines in five dazzling tales, strung like jewels on a single narrative thread. Five new triumphs by the on and only Edith Layton.

The lovely Lady Leonora Talwin had heard all the stories about the rakish Marquess of Severne and vowed never to become one of his victims. But she knew far too little about her foolish heart to daunt this lord who feasted on such feminine frailties.

Is legendary beauty Lady Annabelle beyond redemption? Rejected at every turn and growing older, Annabelle agrees to marry the man of her father's choosing, believing this will lead to a comfortable life free of complications. Miles Croft, the new Viscount Pelham, seems perfect for the part, but instead of finding a comfortable complacency, Miles and Annabelle awaken in each other a greater knowledge of themselves, and discover their need to complete each other.

Katherine Corbet abhors injustice -- and is happy to assist the disturbingly attractive Sir Alasdair St. Erth quash the brazen schemes of a marriage-minded opportunist. But appearing on the arm of the dark, dashing rogue at London balls as his interest will never be more than a sham -- no matter how Katherine's aching heart yearns for more.This naive country miss is ideal! With Katherine's unsuspecting assistance, Alasdair can at long last take his revenge on an old, hated enemy -- though it pains him to use such an innocent in this unscrupulous manner. Worse still is the longing she inspires within him, a passionate need to taste the sweetness of her lips. Alasdair knows his vengeful plan could destroy a fragile, blossoming love. And when he finally releases Katherine from his devil's bargain, will he truly be able to let her go?