ISBN: 0-8041-1974-0
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Knight Miscellany, Book 4: LADY OF DESIREWith the smashing success of Lord of Fire and Lord of Ice, Gaelen Foley has confirmed her place as one of historical romance's hottest talents. Now with Lady of Desire, a breathtaking story in which a young woman's fiery beauty tames the king of thieves, she delivers her most enthralling novel yet...
Impetuous Lady Jacinda Knight is the daughter of a scandalous woman--and Society predicts she'll follow in her mother's footsteps. Then one night, in flight from an arranged and loveless marriage, Jacinda finds herself alone on a dangerous street face-to-face with Billy Blade, the notorious leader of a band of thieves. His stolen kisses awaken in her a longing for a man she can never possess. A handsome outlaw running from a secret past, Billy Blade has never met a woman like Jacinda-her fiery innocence and blossoming sensuality set his rebel's heart ablaze. Having turned his back on the privilege and power of his tyrannical father's house years before, he vows to return to reclaim his title, Earl of Rackford-to win the love of the ravishing beauty who has stolen his heart. |
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AWARDS
Finalist — 2004 Laurie Award REVIEWS "This tantalizing tale offers a glimpse of a world that historical romance authors rarely acknowledge-the slums and back alleys of London. Lady Jacinda Knight, a spoiled and sheltered beauty, defies her eldest brother and guardian by running away to avoid an arranged marriage. She makes it as far as a coaching inn before she falls prey to a young purse-snatcher. Not one to concede defeat, Jacinda chases him into an alley and winds up in the middle of a turf war between rival gangs of thieves. Hard-bitten Billy Blade, a troubled Robin Hood-like figure who's not quite what he seems, takes an ungrateful Jacinda back to her brothers but not before they share a heated kiss. The two eventually meet again when Billy is forced to reunite with his abusive father and reclaim his title as Earl of Rackford, but her desire for independence clashes with his resolve to make her his wife. It's hard to believe that the pampered aristocrat would find Billy worthy of her attentions, but his irreverent charm and innate sense of justice will quickly endear him to readers. Despite the book's title, Billy is the true star here, and his transformation from street-wise rebel into high society rake is full of light humor, lively surprises and tender moments.—Publisher's Weekly "Delectably entertaining, lusciously sensual historical Regency.While chasing a wily pickpocket who stole the money she desperately needs to escape an arranged marriage, Lady Jacinda Knight stumbles into a gang war in a dangerous part of London. She is rescued by Billy Blade, the infamous "King of Thieves," who takes her back to his lair until he discovers her real identity and immediately takes her home, leaving her with only memories of their forbidden passion. When Billy is later forced to abandon his adopted identity and resume his rightful place as William Spencer Albright, the Earl of Rackford, the entire town wonders where he has been hiding since he disappeared as a young boy, everyone, that is, except Jacinda, who immediately recognizes the wicked rogue lurking beneath his civilized veneer. Foley neatly contrasts the dark, perilous corners of London with the dazzling world of the city's wealthy as she continues her Knights Miscellany series in another delectably entertaining, lusciously sensual historical Regency, proving herself once again to be an irresistible author skilled at blending passion and intrigue." —Booklist Top Pick1 4 1/2 Stars ~ "If there is one thing Lady Jacinda Knight does not want, it is to be compared to her mother, whose lust for passion made her too spirited for the ton. But she seems to be following in her footsteps the night she runs away from an unwanted marriage and encounters Billy Blade, leader of an infamous London gang. The fabled thief steals a kiss, then returns Jacinda to her brother. There are few more daring or handsome thieves than Billy, and none as noble: Billy carefully hides his aristocratic upbringing until he realizes he can do more to fight injustice by reclaiming his title. When they meet again, it is as Lady Jacinda and Lord Rackford. But beneath the silks and lace beats the heart of a street-smart criminal. Jacinda sees the true Billy and loves him despite his past, or maybe because of it. Galen Foley leads us through the maze of London's underground a la Dickens, with a cast of characters you will adore and the addition of a lush and heated romance, great danger, poignancy, humor and a climax that will have you holding your breath. Jacinda may be the lady of desire, but Ms. Foley is truly a queen of adventure."—Romantic Times Bookreviews ""Two worlds collide in this adventurous, suspenseful story... a dynamite read." —Rendezvous “With each and every novel Gaelen Foley pens, she further endears herself to the historical fans. Her writing always shines like the brightest star in the heavens!”-Rouse's Romance Readers' Groups This is a book for people who love a deep and sometimes dark hero. "In this book we can see the kind of research that goes into Gaelen's novels. LADY OF DESIRE is a Regency Historical that often leaves the ballrooms behind and takes place in the slums and back alleys of 19th century London." —Rakehell.com |
Excerpt
“You are such a bad influence on me,” she whispered.
“Give me my necklace, you rogue.” Stifling a giggle, she reached into his coat pocket, but he captured her hand, whirling her around gently so that she found herself backed up against the closed door. She narrowed her eyes at him, fighting a smile. “What are you up to now?”
Lean and tall, all compact muscle beneath his formal black evening clothes, he braced one hand on the door by her head and leaned toward her, dangling the necklace before her eyes. “Want it? Come and get it.”
She tried to snatch it out of his grasp, but he lifted it higher with a taunting smile.
“Billy!”
“Don’t you want this fine bit o’ sparkle?” He bent his head closer, the moonlight casting a silvery glow along his finely chiseled profile and the narrow plane of his cheek. “Give me a kiss and it’s yours.”
“It already is mine.”
“No, no, my lady, you gave it to me.” His emerald eyes gleamed as he slung the diamond strand around his fingers and swung it before her face, mesmerizing her. “But if you kiss me, I will give it back to you again.”
“But, Lord Rackford, we have agreed that we are only friends.”
“A friendly kiss,” he whispered, moving closer, tilting his head slightly.
She felt herself weakening under the potency of his charm. “Perhaps...one...”
“Give me my necklace, you rogue.” Stifling a giggle, she reached into his coat pocket, but he captured her hand, whirling her around gently so that she found herself backed up against the closed door. She narrowed her eyes at him, fighting a smile. “What are you up to now?”
Lean and tall, all compact muscle beneath his formal black evening clothes, he braced one hand on the door by her head and leaned toward her, dangling the necklace before her eyes. “Want it? Come and get it.”
She tried to snatch it out of his grasp, but he lifted it higher with a taunting smile.
“Billy!”
“Don’t you want this fine bit o’ sparkle?” He bent his head closer, the moonlight casting a silvery glow along his finely chiseled profile and the narrow plane of his cheek. “Give me a kiss and it’s yours.”
“It already is mine.”
“No, no, my lady, you gave it to me.” His emerald eyes gleamed as he slung the diamond strand around his fingers and swung it before her face, mesmerizing her. “But if you kiss me, I will give it back to you again.”
“But, Lord Rackford, we have agreed that we are only friends.”
“A friendly kiss,” he whispered, moving closer, tilting his head slightly.
She felt herself weakening under the potency of his charm. “Perhaps...one...”
