THE ABANDONED BRIDE The handsome, elegant Alexander Stewart, Viscount Merrick, wed young and innocent Miss Anne Parish in haste – his hand forced by circumstance and honor. But now his duty was done – and it was Anne who had to repent at leisure. Merrick declared he would return to London to resume the pursuit of pleasure that Anne had so rudely interrupted. Anne for her part was free to enjoy the privileges of her new position – but enjoy them as alone as only a proper wife without a proper husband could be. Anne's only revenge for this cruel insult would be to break the heart of this man who had broken hers. But to do this she would have to be even more heartless than he...

Once they were lovers. Isabella was a fledgling actress, struggling to survive. Jack Frazer was a youth as innocent as he was handsome, consumed by love for this girl he could never make his wife. Their year together was bliss; their parting bitter with jealousy and anger. But that had been long ago. Now Isabella is the premier star of the London stage. And Jack is the city's supreme rake, a jaded libertine currently courting an exquisite if inexperienced young lady on orders from his titled grandmother. Both Isabella and Jack are utterly changed—so what danger can there be if they meet again? But as they soon discover, there are painful wounds that never heal—and burning passions that refuse to die...