‘You’re a very seductive lady, and undoubtedly we still like one another enough to want to keep in touch, don’t you think?’

      Deborah moistened her lips. His mocking, lustful tone had lacked the emotion she craved to hear. A searching glance at his smouldering eyes told her that with just a little encouragement from her he’d see off the Captain and come back to her in minutes, not days. He very much wanted her—but not as he once had, as his wife. Next time when he returned to Woodville Place he would proposition her, and to her shame she knew if he did so whilst touching her she might be tempted to accept an offer to be his mistress.

      AUTHOR NOTE

       Regency Rogues— Ripe for a Scandal. Ready for a Bride.

      A roguish gentleman can be devastatingly attractive to a genteel lady—especially when she’s already had a taste of loving him and regrets losing him.

      In CHIVALROUS RAKE, SCANDALOUS LADY the heroine is unwilling to succumb to a rejected suitor’s offer to be his mistress, despite being sorely tempted to do so. The vengeful rogue has a fiancée, and the heroine has a secret that should remain hidden if she is to salvage what remains of her reputation.

      This second book in the duet, DANGEROUS LORD, SEDUCTIVE MISS, finds the heroine under threat from a gang of local ruffians. Then she is unexpectedly reunited with the hero many years after their youthful romance ended in a bitter parting. But is he a villain too? And does he present a greater danger … to her heart?

      I hope you enjoy reading about how these couples overcome scandal and heartache to eventually find love and happiness.

      About the Author

      MARY BRENDAN was born in North London, but now lives in rural Suffolk. She has always had a fascination with bygone days, and enjoys the research involved in writing historical fiction. When not at her word processor, she can be found trying to bring order to a large overgrown garden, or browsing local fairs and junk shops for that elusive bargain.

      Novels by the same author:

WEDDING NIGHT REVENGE^*

      THE UNKNOWN WIFE^*

      A SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE^*

      THE RAKE AND THE REBEL^*

A PRACTICAL MISTRESS^†

      THE WANTON BRIDE^*

THE VIRTUOUS COURTESAN^**

      THE RAKE’S DEFIANT MISTRESS^**

CHIVALROUS RAKE, SCANDALOUS MISTRESS^††

^*The Meredith Sisters

^† The Hunter Brothers

^**linked by character

^†† Regency Rogues

       DANGEROUS LORD, SEDUCTIVE MISS

      Mary Brendan

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

       For Mum

       Prologue

       Coastal Sussex, circa 1828

      ‘Do I have a choice in the matter?’

      ‘You can refuse if you wish, my lord,’ Colonel Montague replied stiffly.

      The Colonel shifted to evade the glare of a pair of hawk-like eyes. The question directed at him had been uttered with an unnerving softness. If the fellow had bellowed at him, unleashing an anger he sensed was being tightly controlled, he might have preferred it.

      Lord Buckland lounged back in the chair before coming abruptly to his feet, his bitter laugh shattering the tense silence that had developed. Having strolled to the window, he propped his tall frame against the crooked timber with a large brown hand. The view, had he chosen to pay attention to it, was quite picturesque. From his vantage point in the Colonel’s office he could admire a quaint harbour scene complete with weatherbeaten old salts preparing fishing boats for sea, all set against a backdrop of mellow, autumnal hues. ‘And what would be the consequence of such a refusal?’ Lord Buckland demanded harshly over a shoulder. ‘Will my mother and sister be ousted from their home and left destitute?’

      ‘It’s possible the crown might move to reclaim the Buckland estate.’

      ‘It’s more than damn well possible, and you know it.’ Lord Buckland pivoted about and his amber eyes swooped on the Colonel’s ruddy face. The fellow was embarrassed, and so he should be. A more blatant case of blackmail would be hard to imagine. And he had little choice but to knuckle under to it. ‘The continuing comfort of my family is a very strong bargaining tool as you’re well aware.’

      ‘Be sensible, sir,’ Gordon Montague said persuasively, as he fiddled a finger between his throat and his collar. ‘Your brother has caused grave problems for you all. You’ve a chance to put things right and in doing so will keep your family’s reputation safe. In addition, you’ve the prospect of earning a magnificent sum.’ The Colonel’s coaxing smile faded, for there was no reciprocal lightening in my lord’s grim, sardonic expression on hearing that a king’s ransom was to be had. He spread his hands appealingly. ‘There’s the matter of your brother’s body, too. Surely you want it properly laid to rest? Sebastian will be given a Christian burial instead of remaining hanging on a gibbet till the crows have done their devilish work. Think of your mother’s feelings and your sister’s. Your father, God rest his soul, would have been desolate to know how things have turned out for you all. He would rely on you to do your utmost to ease their distress and contain a scandal.’

      An acerbic smile tugged upwards a corner of Lord Buckland’s thin lips. Inwardly he damned the Colonel to perdition for reminding him of what he couldn’t forget. The duty to his family and the Buckland reputation—what remained of it—must determine his decision and therefore there was only one answer to give to the proposition that had been laid before him. He limited his agreement to a curt nod, simply a tightening of his mouth indicating his resentment at having been backed in to a corner.

      ‘Do you want these?’

      The Colonel opened a drawer in the desk to reveal some documents. ‘There are papers here that might be of considerable use—names … places—’

      ‘I need nothing,’ Lord Buckland brusquely interrupted. ‘I’ll find