A Woman of Virtue - Softcover

Carlyle, Liz

3.84

1,096 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1416510605 ISBN 13: 9781416510604

Publisher: Pocket Star, 2005

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From the grandeur of regency Mayfair to the dark danger of London's East End, Liz Carlyle sweeps you away with a powerful story of a love born against all odds, as an honorable young widow stands fast against the cynical rogue who seems determined to consume her, heart and soul.

A Woman of Virtue

In the lonely months since her husband's death, Cecilia Lorimer has hidden her emptiness by devoting herself to a charity mission for the unfortunate women of London's slums. But when the dashing Lord Delacourt takes control, she feels an uncharacteristic urge to flee. Just six years earlier, Delacourt had proven himself to be the immoral rake society called him, nearly ruining her reputation in the bargain.

It's whispered that the womanizing Delacourt is vain, vindictive, and merciless. But he's a man who honors his wagers -- and one result lands him in his brother-in-law's godforsaken mission, face-to-face with the woman who has long haunted his dreams. When treachery closes in, only he knows how to guard Cecilia from the consequences of her own principles. Can a profligate knave persuade a virtuous woman that he is worthy of her trust -- and her love?

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Review:

Setting: London, 1824

Sensuality Rating: 8

Another romp of a tale from rising star Liz Carlyle! David, the dissolute Lord Delacourt, happens upon the mistress of his dreams, complete with flame gold hair and a couple of, ahem, other attributes that lead Delacourt to nickname this vision of female pulchritude "Peaches." But he quickly discovers that his perfect woman is no fille de joie; no, she's Lady Cecilia Markham-Sands, a genteel if impoverished young woman very much on the marriage mart. Caught in a compromising position with the virtuous virago, the reportedly disreputable Delacourt does the honorable thing and offers to marry Cecilia. But Cecilia wants nothing to do with the womanizing lord and refuses his troth, much to Delacourt's surprise and even dismay.

Years later when fate intervenes in the form of Delacourt's interfering brother-in-law, Cole Amherst, from Carlyle's earlier novel A Woman Scorned, Cecilia, now the widowed countess of Walrafen, once again encounters her nemesis Delacourt in the most unlikely of places, running a shelter for rehabilitated prostitutes in London's slums. But when the unfortunate women in their care begin to turn up dead, Cecilia and Delacourt put aside their animosity to discover who is preying on their defenseless charges. Thrown together by the investigation, passion quickly replaces antipathy, and the fires that have been simmering for six years flame out of control. Readers will love Carlyle's flowing prose, heated love scenes, and titillating portrayal of the macabre. Let Liz Carlyle make a fan out of you!--Alison Trinkle

About the Author:

During her frequent travels through England, Liz Carlyle always packs her pearls, her dancing slippers, and her whalebone corset, confident in the belief that eventually she will receive an invitation to a ball or a rout. Alas, none has been forthcoming. While waiting, however, she has managed to learn where all the damp, dark alleys and low public houses can be found. Liz hopes she has brought just a little of the nineteenth century alive for the reader in her popular novels, which include the trilogy of One Little Sin, Two Little Lies, and Three Little Secrets, as well as The Devil You Know, A Deal With the Devil, and The Devil to Pay. Please visit her at LizCarlyle.com, especially if you're giving a ball.

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