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Informationen zum Autor Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling author and the recipient of numerous awards, including the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award. Her novels have been translated into fourteen languages. A grandmother of three, she lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband. Klappentext A sweeping historical romance from the New York Times bestselling author of The Decadent Duke . Lady Louisa scoffed when Lord Abercorn of Ireland first asked for her hand. She will be the mistress of her own destiny and no man can change that. As the greatest young beauty in all of England, she is pursued by every titled bachelor in the land, and refuses everyone, including the Irish lord. But a family scandal soon throws Louisa reluctantly into his arms, bringing consequences she never expected. Prologue Montagu House, London August 1894 “Wouldn’t you love to know?” Dowager Duchess Louisa winked at her two great-granddaughters who were whispering about her. The pair blushed hotly when they realized Lu had overheard them wondering how many lovers she’d had in her eighty-odd years. The trés grande dame was presiding over a levee of her one hundred and one descendants. “After all, I belonged to the decadent Georgian era. You cannot expect me to even pay lip service to the rigid respectability of the repressed Victorians.” “Is it true, Your Grace, that you declined the office of Mistress of the Robes to her Majesty the Queen?” Maud asked in awe. Lu threw back her head and laughed. “Not once, but twice. One of my greatest passions is beautiful raiment in brilliant colors, such as red. Just the thought of Queen Victoria’s dull and dowdy garments gives me the shudders.” “Her daughter-in-law Princess Alexandra has lovely taste in clothes,” Maud said. “Indeed she has. It will be a most welcome change to have a queen who is fashionable. I cannot wait.” The girls looked incredulous that the old girl expected to outlive Queen Victoria. The corners of Lu’s lips lifted in a wry smile. “I’m not ready to stick my spoon in the wall for another decade. I fully intend to welcome in the next era with gusto.” She waved her crimson ostrich-feather fan languidly. “A little decadence never hurt anyone.” The room fell silent as Louisa’s youngest daughter Evelyn, Marchioness of Lansdowne, read congratulatory letters from Her Majesty Queen Victoria and His Royal Highness, Edward, Prince of Wales. The future Duke of Leeds, who was married to her favorite granddaughter, handed her a glass of champagne and kissed her cheek. He raised his own glass. “I drink a toast to the best-looking woman in London.” “I’ll give you a toast an Irishman taught me: Here’s to you and here’s to me, And if someday we disagree, Sod you . . . here’s to me!” Louisa sat in the place of honor so that the speeches could begin. Her great-granddaughter Maud and her cousin returned, eager to learn all they could about their fascinating great-grandmother. “What is it now, Miss Inquisitive?” “I heard that you first met James Hamilton when you were a little girl. Is that true, Your Grace?” Louisa’s mind took wing and soared back over the decades to Carlton House. “It was July 1819. . . . I remember it all as if it were yesterday.” Carlton House, London July 1819 “Lady Louisa, will you marry me?” Louisa Jane Russell, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, stared at the boy who had planted himself before her, and saw the determination written on his face. “Who the devil are you?” she demanded. Nine-year-old James Hamilton, needing to impress the beautiful seven-year-old, raised his chin with pride. “I am the Marquis of Abercorn.” He pronounced it Avercorn . “Do you have a speech impediment?” J...
