Heart of Fire

When Coralee Whitmore, a reporter for the fashionable London ladies’ gazette, Heart to Heart, learns that her sister’s death has been dismissed as a suicide, she vows to uncover the truth.

Suspecting the notorious Earl of Tremaine was Laurel’s lover–and the father of her illegitimate child–Corrie infiltrates Castle Tremaine, posing as the abandoned, destitute wife of the earl’s distant cousin.

But Corrie finds the handsome earl is not all he seems…nor is she immune to his charms–however much she despises his scandalous ways.

And the deeper Corrie immerses herself in her role, the more certain it becomes that someone is bent on ensuring her questions go unanswered–forever.

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Excerpt From Heart of Fire

Coralee still sat on the sofa–and it was a very good thing. The man who walked through the door was nothing at all what she had expected. This man, with his black hair tied back in a queue and fathomless dark eyes, was dressed not in a tail coat and trousers, but mud-spattered black riding breeches, black knee-high boots, and a full-sleeved white shirt. He looked more like an eighteenth-century highwayman than a wealthy English lord.

“Gray! I was hoping you would return. We have a guest, just arrived–your cousin Cyrus’s wife, Letty Moss.”

Those piercing dark eyes swung in her direction and seemed to hold her prisoner there on the sofa. “I didn’t know I had a Cousin Cyrus.”

“I’m sure Charles has mentioned him. He is the son of your deceased third cousin, Spencer Moss. Mrs. Moss has come quite a distance to see you.”

Tremaine didn’t apologize for his rather disheveled appearance, simply turned and made a faint bow in her direction. “Mrs. Moss. Welcome to Castle Tremaine. Now, if you will excuse me, there are several pressing affairs I need to–”

“I should like a word with you, my lord.” She rose from her place on the sofa. “It is a matter of some importance and I have traveled quite far.”

One of his black eyebrows arched up. It was clear he wasn’t used to a woman speaking out as she had just done. For a moment he simply stared, as if taking her measure in some way.

Then the edge of his mouth faintly curved. “I suppose…since you have traveled, as you say, quite some distance, I can spare a moment.” There was something in that hard-edged smile that made her stomach lift alarmingly.

Tremaine turned to his sister-in-law. “If you will excuse us, Becky…”

Rebecca’s smile slipped. “Of course.” She retreated toward the sliding doors but she didn’t look happy about it. Corrie got the distinct impression the earl’s sister-in-law wasn’t happy to think his impoverished distant cousin might move into the house–no matter how large it was.

“Mrs. Moss?” Tremaine didn’t invite her to sit. It was clear he didn’t expect the interview to take that long. Corrie steeled herself against a hint of irritation, followed by a rush of nerves. The earl was even more handsome than rumors about him had said.

He was very tall and extremely broad-shouldered, with a flat stomach and long, muscular legs, clearly outlined by his snug black riding breeches. Looking into those penetrating dark eyes, it was easy to imagine an innocent young woman like her sister succumbing to such sheer masculinity.

And dear God, and if her plan succeeded, she would be living in this very house with him!