The Earl of Langsdene is being lampooned in the daily press, but who is the cartoonist? After being depicted as fool and an oppressor of the poor for the past five years, he has given up his rakish ways and plans to take a wife. And yet, the cartoons of him continue to appear. Then at a ball, he spots Winsome Carsten, whose knowledge of art impressed him in the past. For years Winsome has avoided the handsome earl. She certainly didn’t expect to meet him again. And now the persistent man wants her help to find a certain artist. Somehow, she needs to put him off the trail by fair means or foul. Although she cannot resist his wonderful kisses, she is determined to guard her heart. She will not fall in love with the man she has persisted in using as the foil for her artfully wicked humour. For years Winsome has avoided the handsome earl. She certainly didn’t expect to meet him again. And now the persistent man wants her help to find a certain artist. Somehow, she needs to put him off the trail by fair means or foul. Although she cannot resist his wonderful kisses, she is determined to guard her heart. She will not fall in love with the man she has persisted in using as the foil for her artfully wicked humor.

Lord Beldon Westerham, due to the recent loss of his father and brother, needs to marry to ensure a legitimate heir. To this end, he meets the Thornton sisters. The younger, Lady Mary, has adored him for years, but marriage to him is not possible, for he will discover her secret if she does. Instead, she plans to use him as her betrothed, so that she can experience her much delayed London season. Previously published in the anthology, Have Yourself a Merry Little Secret