Sorry. The single word was written on a mirror. In front of it hung the Minneapolis Internal Affairs cop. Was it suicide? Or a kinky act turned tragic? Either way, it wasn't murder. At least not according to the powers that be. But veteran homicide detective Sam Kovac and his...  more

Sorry. The single word was written on a mirror. In front of it hung the Minneapolis Internal Affairs cop. Was it suicide? Or a kinky act turned tragic? Either way, it wasn't murder. At least not according to the powers that be. But veteran homicide detective Sam Kovac and his wisecracking, ambitious partner Nikki Liska think differently. Together they begin to dig at the too-neat edges of the young cop's death, uncovering one motive and one suspect after another. The shadows of suspicion fall not only on the city's elite, but into the very heart of the police department. Someone wants the case closed -- quickly and forever. But neither Kovac nor Liska will give up. Now both their careers and their lives are on the line. From a murder case two months old to another case closed for twenty years, Kovac and Liska must unearth a connection the killer wants dead and buried. A killer who will stop at absolutely nothing to keep a dark and shattering secret . . .

Most of the world remembers Crazy Horse as a peerless warrior who brought the U.S. Army to its knees at the Battle of Little Bighorn. But to his fellow Lakota Indians, he was a dutiful son and humble fighting man who—with valor, spirit, respect, and unparalleled leadership—fought...  more

Most of the world remembers Crazy Horse as a peerless warrior who brought the U.S. Army to its knees at the Battle of Little Bighorn. But to his fellow Lakota Indians, he was a dutiful son and humble fighting man who—with valor, spirit, respect, and unparalleled leadership—fought for his people’s land, livelihood, and honor. In this fascinating biography, Joseph Marshall, himself a Lakota Indian, creates a vibrant portrait of the man, his times, and his legacy. Drawing on firsthand research and his culture’s rich oral tradition (rarely shared outside the Native American community), Marshall reveals many aspects of Crazy Horse’s life, including details of the powerful vision that convinced him of his duty to help preserve the Lakota homeland—a vision that changed the course of Crazy Horse’s life and spurred him confidently into battle time and time again. The Journey of Crazy Horse is the true story of how one man’s fight for his people’s survival roused his true genius as a strategist, commander, and trusted leader. And it is an unforgettable portrayal of a revered human being and a profound celebration of a culture, a community, and an enduring way of life.

Five bestselling authors. Five real-life heroines. They're your neighbors, your aunts, your sisters and your best friends. They're women across North America committed to reaching out and changing lives, one good deed at a time. Five of these exceptional women have been selected as this...  more

Five bestselling authors. Five real-life heroines. They're your neighbors, your aunts, your sisters and your best friends. They're women across North America committed to reaching out and changing lives, one good deed at a time. Five of these exceptional women have been selected as this year's recipients of Harlequin's More Than Words Award. And once again five award-winning bestselling authors have kindly offered their creativity to write original short stories inspired by these real-life heroines. Because of this year's recipients' dedication, thousands of tiny babies born into poverty are going home from the hospital wearing warm, hand-knit clothing. Inmates are raising pups to keep people safe and be loyal guide dogs. Special-needs kids finally have a sports league to call their own. Cancer survivors enjoy a week of relaxation and rejuvenation nestled in Canada's stunning cottage country. And high-quality, low-cost children's books in Braille are finding their way to the thousands of children who need them. We hope More Than Words will touch your heart and inspire the heroine living inside you. Contents: Homecoming season / Susan Wiggs Find the way / Karen Harper Here comes the heroes / Kasey Michaels Touched by love / Catherine Mann Stitch in time / Tori Carrington.

Bronwyn MacArran was a proud Scot. Stephen Montgomery was one of the hated English. He came to Scotland as a conqueror, saw her beauty and was vanquished. But still she would abhor him.She owned a temper hot enough to forge the armors of battle or inflame a valiant soldier's passion. Yet still...  more

Bronwyn MacArran was a proud Scot. Stephen Montgomery was one of the hated English. He came to Scotland as a conqueror, saw her beauty and was vanquished. But still she would abhor him.She owned a temper hot enough to forge the armors of battle or inflame a valiant soldier's passion. Yet still she would resist him.She became his reason to live, his reason to love. And still she would deny him.But while clan fought clan, while brother took up sword against brother, and the highlands ran with blood -- their destiny was made...and this mighty warrior pledged himself to his woman's pride, her honor and her name -- and made of their love a torch to burn through the ages!

Love can strike, like lightning -- when you least expect it! First there was that pig, Sam. He ate Ms Charlie MacEnnaly's flowers and her handmade violin case. Then there was Phil, Sam's owner and Charlie's neighbor. He infuriated her with a long, slow kiss during a fur-flying argument. And...  more

Love can strike, like lightning -- when you least expect it! First there was that pig, Sam. He ate Ms Charlie MacEnnaly's flowers and her handmade violin case. Then there was Phil, Sam's owner and Charlie's neighbor. He infuriated her with a long, slow kiss during a fur-flying argument. And to make matters worse, all she got for her angry swipe at his chin were broken fingers. Bad news for a violinist. The injury meant Charlie couldn't fend for herself, much less practice. Which left only one solution -- she'd have to move in with Phil, Sam and some uninvited guests, including Phil's high-society mom and a gorgeous blonde. Could things get worse? Yes! Charlie fell in love.

From protest marches to wildlife photography, Samantha Graham had tried everything, triumphed at nothing. Dreaming of adventure and accomplishment, she now planned to join the CIA--no matter what happened. What happened was murder. Suddenly Sam was up to her ears in madcap...  more

From protest marches to wildlife photography, Samantha Graham had tried everything, triumphed at nothing. Dreaming of adventure and accomplishment, she now planned to join the CIA--no matter what happened. What happened was murder. Suddenly Sam was up to her ears in madcap investigations--and chafing under her CIA evaluator's scrutiny. Sexy Jim Collins adored Sam's impulsiveness, but he deemed her unsuitable for espionage. Claiming to save her from herself, would he nix her chances, destroy her dreams, all in the name of love?

SHE WAS A WOMAN MADE FOR LOVE: HE WAS THE MAN DESTINED TO LOVE HER Captured by a party of Cheyenne as she was traveling with her family to join her fiance in Colorado Territory, beautiful young Tanya Martin refused to let her proud spirit be broken or her voluptuous body abused. But she had...  more

SHE WAS A WOMAN MADE FOR LOVE: HE WAS THE MAN DESTINED TO LOVE HER Captured by a party of Cheyenne as she was traveling with her family to join her fiance in Colorado Territory, beautiful young Tanya Martin refused to let her proud spirit be broken or her voluptuous body abused. But she had not anticipated the reaction of her heart to A Panther Stalks, the brave who had claimed her as his prize. Tanya soon became her captor's willing slave, overcome by a passion she could not resist. Though fate conspired to tear her from her lover's side, Tanya vowed to surmount every obstacle that stood between them, until she was safe at last in the arms of the man who had awakened her to ecstasy...

NO MAN AND WOMAN HAD EVER HATED SO FIERCELY ... AND LOVED SO RECKLESSLY... AILIS... As wild and beautiful as her fiery Scottish heritage, she faced the torment of marriage to a man she despised. Then, without warning, she was kidnapped by her worst enemy... ALEXANDER... As strong and...  more

NO MAN AND WOMAN HAD EVER HATED SO FIERCELY ... AND LOVED SO RECKLESSLY... AILIS... As wild and beautiful as her fiery Scottish heritage, she faced the torment of marriage to a man she despised. Then, without warning, she was kidnapped by her worst enemy... ALEXANDER... As strong and brutally handsome as he was arrogant, he plotted against her beloved family. Now Ailis was his to use for revenge ... to ravish with his eyes .... to inflame with his touch. Their hatred was passionate. Their desire was dangerous. Their surrender to a forbidden love was Reckless.

With one kiss, he knew she'd be his queen... His obsession: the enchantress who surrenders her body, but not her heart. After Sabine, the Queen of Illusions, lures and traps Rydstrom Woede in her lair, the ruthless warrior fights to resist her seduction. But his fierce demon nature lusts...  more

With one kiss, he knew she'd be his queen... His obsession: the enchantress who surrenders her body, but not her heart. After Sabine, the Queen of Illusions, lures and traps Rydstrom Woede in her lair, the ruthless warrior fights to resist her seduction. But his fierce demon nature lusts for her delicate body and won't be denied. Even as Rydstrom plots to escape, he still intends to claim Sabine as his own on his terms. Her downfall: the battle-scarred demon who vows to keep her at all costs. When Rydstrom breaks free, her abducts Sabine, turning the tables. Now she's the one struggling to resist his delicious torment. With each relentless encounter, Sabine hungers more for her merciless adversary.They were never supposed to want each other this much... If they can defeat the sinister enemy that stands between them, will Sabine make the ultimate sacrifice to save her demon? Or will the proud king lay down his crown and arms to keep his sorceress?

Everyone in Promise thinks Savannah Weston is an old-fashioned kind of woman, quietly content to stay on the family ranch with her brother Grady. But Savannah has her passions -- for the old roses she loves to grow, for the children she hopes to have. And for a man named Laredo Smith. He's a...  more

Everyone in Promise thinks Savannah Weston is an old-fashioned kind of woman, quietly content to stay on the family ranch with her brother Grady. But Savannah has her passions -- for the old roses she loves to grow, for the children she hopes to have. And for a man named Laredo Smith. He's a stranger to Promise, a disenchanted cowboy who just may change Savannah's life!

THE PRINCE AND HIS PREGNANT MISTRESS Danette Michaels knew that when she became Principe Marcello Scorsolini's secret mistress there would be no marriage, no future and no public acknowledgment.  At the time it was enough. But Danette can't be Marcello's secret any...  more

THE PRINCE AND HIS PREGNANT MISTRESS Danette Michaels knew that when she became Principe Marcello Scorsolini's secret mistress there would be no marriage, no future and no public acknowledgment.  At the time it was enough. But Danette can't be Marcello's secret any longer.  She wants him, all or nothing -- even if it means their affair is over. Until a pregnancy test changes the rules forever....  

When Chloe Boscastle is caught indiscreetly kissing a man in a park, her brother Grayson--the protective patriarch of the Boscastle family--sends her off to a country manor to stay until the scandal in town subsides. Soon after Chloe's banishment begins, she is shocked to learn that her neighbor...  more

When Chloe Boscastle is caught indiscreetly kissing a man in a park, her brother Grayson--the protective patriarch of the Boscastle family--sends her off to a country manor to stay until the scandal in town subsides. Soon after Chloe's banishment begins, she is shocked to learn that her neighbor Dominic Breckland, the devilish Viscount Stratfield, has been killed in his bed. But she is even more stunned to discover the dangerously handsome victim taking refuge in her lingerie closet one night. By some miracle Dominic has survived his attack and wishes the world to believe him dead. Can the alluring Lady Chloe keep his secret?

Trapped into a loveless marriage, Arielle Leslie knew a life of shame and degradation.  Even after the death of her brutal husband, she was unable to free herself from the shackles of humiliation.  Only Burke Drummond's love could save her... if she let it.  But as his passion...  more

Trapped into a loveless marriage, Arielle Leslie knew a life of shame and degradation.  Even after the death of her brutal husband, she was unable to free herself from the shackles of humiliation.  Only Burke Drummond's love could save her... if she let it.  But as his passion blazed, his patience wore thin... and Arielle risked a future as terrifying as her past.

He Took Her By Surprise When a naked earl climbs through the window into her bedchamber, Lady Elizabeth Runyon does the proper thing: She screams. Loudly. And then... well, Lizzie has had enough of being proper. She won't be commanded to put on her nightgown. Just this once, she will be...  more

He Took Her By Surprise When a naked earl climbs through the window into her bedchamber, Lady Elizabeth Runyon does the proper thing: She screams. Loudly. And then... well, Lizzie has had enough of being proper. She won't be commanded to put on her nightgown. Just this once, she will be absolutely daring... She Returned The Favor Robert Hamilton, Earl of Westbrooke, has no intention of being tricked into marriage by a detestable female, and if he has to flee naked across a rooftop, he will. Jolly good there's an open window waiting -- as well as an undressed, slightly drunk, and alluringly beautiful Lady Elizabeth. Oh dear. If they are caught together, he might have to marry her. The idea is delicious... and the temptation is irresistible...

With her unforgettable warmth and charm, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sherryl Woods invites you to join the D'Angelo sisters as they journey home to Rose Cottage…a place where hearts heal and love blooms. THREE DOWN THE AISLE (Rose Cottage Sisters, Bk 1) She...  more

With her unforgettable warmth and charm, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sherryl Woods invites you to join the D'Angelo sisters as they journey home to Rose Cottage…a place where hearts heal and love blooms. THREE DOWN THE AISLE (Rose Cottage Sisters, Bk 1) She came to Rose Cottage to concentrate on her needs for once. The last thing Melanie expects is to meet a handsome landscaper and his troubled little girl. She knows they need her help to truly become a family…but can she let father and daughter into her heart without losing herself in the process? WHAT'S COOKING? (Rose Cottage Sisters, Bk 2) A refuge is what Maggie is hoping to find -- an escape from yet another unsuitable affair. She hopes her time at Rose Cottage will allow her to find out who she is without a man. But when her lover follows her all the way to the Chesapeake Bay, she has no choice but to consider what's really keeping her from a successful relationship.

In her world, she was a protector. Mara Kincaide knows what it is like to live in chaos. For six years, she has operated a shelter for women, bearing witness to the dark side of mankind as well as the great potential for good in humanity. But when a client whom she deeply cared for...  more

In her world, she was a protector. Mara Kincaide knows what it is like to live in chaos. For six years, she has operated a shelter for women, bearing witness to the dark side of mankind as well as the great potential for good in humanity. But when a client whom she deeply cared for disappears, a concerned Mara follows her friend's trail -- and ends up falling victim to the same ominous fate.. In his world, he would protect her. Powerful, lithe, and cunning, Connor Rihyad is a force not to be trifled with, even among the other Gargoyles who, with him, have watched over humanity for centuries. But when Mara is "given" to Connor, she senses something about the brooding guardian that separates him for his ageless brethren -- an untamed desire that yearns to be unleashed... Now as betrayal and savage violence threaten to explode around them, Mara must decide if she has truly found the man of her dreams -- or the embodiment of her nightmares...

Reina seethes with rage over her fate: taken captive by the knight Ranulf -- a golden giant of a man -- who has pledged to deliver her to the nuptial bed of the despised Lord Rothwell. She will never accept such bondage -- and Reina offers herself to her kidnapper instead, offering to make...  more

Reina seethes with rage over her fate: taken captive by the knight Ranulf -- a golden giant of a man -- who has pledged to deliver her to the nuptial bed of the despised Lord Rothwell. She will never accept such bondage -- and Reina offers herself to her kidnapper instead, offering to make Ranulf a great lord...if he agrees to wed her. But the brave knight desires much more than a marriage of convenience from this proud, headstrong lady who treats him with scorn yet makes his blood run hotter than liquid fire. She must come to him of her own free will -- or Ranulf will take her. For the passion that consumes them both cannot long be denied -- even though gravest peril surely awaits them on the heart's trail to a destines and turbulent love.

CAST TOGETHER BY THE FATES... With glittering amber eyes and hair of gleaming mahogany, the beguiling, nymphlike Lady Rosalynde of Stanwood could entice a man to deeds of reckless daring. And none was so ruthless, bold, or dangerously seductive as the condemned outlaw known only as...  more

CAST TOGETHER BY THE FATES... With glittering amber eyes and hair of gleaming mahogany, the beguiling, nymphlike Lady Rosalynde of Stanwood could entice a man to deeds of reckless daring. And none was so ruthless, bold, or dangerously seductive as the condemned outlaw known only as Blacksword. In return for safe escort to her ancestral castle, Rosalynde was forced to marry the black-hearted rogue, never dreaming that holy wedlock would fan the flames of unholy desire. The fate of his noble name rested on his massive shoulders. Savage fires of vengeance seared his soul. Wielder of the coveted Blacksword, Sir Aric of Wycliffe vowed death to the treacherous enemy who sought to destroy him. Until his heart was bested by the enchanting maiden who'd saved him from the hangman's noose. Bound together by ancient custom, the brazen knight demanded no less than his sweet Rose's total surrender. But even as revenge and honor warred within him, he would be undone by the most seductive conqueror of all... wild, irresistible love.

PASSION, INTRIGUE, AND OBSESSION IN MEDIEVAL ENGLAND Severin of Langhorne returns to his family's estate in England from the Holy Land in 1277 to find his father and elder brother dead, his mother demented, the lands devastated.  He is the new Baron Louges, but his title is empty...  more

PASSION, INTRIGUE, AND OBSESSION IN MEDIEVAL ENGLAND Severin of Langhorne returns to his family's estate in England from the Holy Land in 1277 to find his father and elder brother dead, his mother demented, the lands devastated.  He is the new Baron Louges, but his title is empty and he knows it.  What is he to do? Hastings of Trent is the heiress of Oxborough.  Her dying father, Fawke of Trent, Earl of Oxborough, selects Severin to wed his daughter and assume his title, properties, and possessions.  It is Severin's duty to protect his holdings, stay on King Edward's good side, and breed children, thus bringing strong new blood to the line to keep Oxborough powerful. And so it comes about that two strangers are joined in marriage.  Severin is a warrior, strong and vigorous.  Hastings is a healer, independent and loyal.  He believes she should be malleable and obedient; she believes he should be less cold-blooded, less merciless.  He inspires fear.  But then again, how can Hastings fear a man whose pet marten appears over the top of his tunic and waves a paw at her? A multitude of richly drawn characters will sweep you through this medieval adventure, among them Gilbert the goat, Edgar the wolf-hound, and Alfred the Healer's cat.  And of course, there is Trist, Severin's pet marten, who is perhaps the richest of them all.

Love may be the only thing a woman wants, and the one thing a man cannot give. UNTIL A WOMAN KNOWS A MAN'S DESIRE SHE CAN NEVER KNOW HIS LOVE When she overheard him refuse to marry her, she swore to make him suffer any way she could.  But Chase Summers wasn't a man to be...  more

Love may be the only thing a woman wants, and the one thing a man cannot give. UNTIL A WOMAN KNOWS A MAN'S DESIRE SHE CAN NEVER KNOW HIS LOVE When she overheard him refuse to marry her, she swore to make him suffer any way she could.  But Chase Summers wasn't a man to be trifled with.  Even though beautiful Jessie Blair could hold her own against any man in the territory -- and was running the ranch by herself after land grabbers had murdered her father -- Chase Summers drove her to a fury of frustration. In her innocence, she did not understand how very much he desired her.  Her beauty haunted him, her arrogance enraged him, she defied and tormented him... until his passion spilled over into violence.  Yet nothing could soften her stubborn heart, it seemed but to tame a man's pride.  And no woman tamed Chase Summers. Yet when fortune called him halfway across the world, he realized how empty his world was without her.  And the girl who had become a woman in his arms, knew at last in her heart where her destiny lay.

A con artist and seductress, Meredith Spooner lived fast-and died young. Now it seems Meredith's last scam-embezzling more than a million dollars from a college endowment fund-is coming back to haunt Leonora Hutton. An e-mail has just arrived in which Meredith-in fear for her life-explains...  more

A con artist and seductress, Meredith Spooner lived fast-and died young. Now it seems Meredith's last scam-embezzling more than a million dollars from a college endowment fund-is coming back to haunt Leonora Hutton. An e-mail has just arrived in which Meredith-in fear for her life-explains that the money is waiting for Leonora in an offshore account . . . and a safe-deposit key is on the way. Leonora wants nothing to do with the tainted money. She's already been accused of being in on the theft by Thomas Walker-who, it seems, was a victim of Meredith's knack for both scams and seductions. Eager to prove him wrong, Leonora sets out to collect the cash and hand it over. But she discovers two other items in the safe-deposit box. One is a book about Mirror House-a mansion filled with antique mirrors, where Meredith engineered her final deception. The other is a set of newspaper stories about a thirty-year-old murder that occurred there-unsolved to this day. Now Leonora has an offer for Thomas Walker. She'll hand over the money-if he helps her figure out what's happening. Meredith had described Thomas Walker as "a man you can trust." But in a funhouse-mirror world of illusion and distortion, Leonora may be out of her league.

In the lazy days of summer, a merciless heat wave is the biggest story in Washington, D.C. But the weather is knocked off the front pages when a young woman is found strangled to death. A note left behind reads Her sins are forgiven her. Two more victims soon follow, and suddenly every...  more

In the lazy days of summer, a merciless heat wave is the biggest story in Washington, D.C. But the weather is knocked off the front pages when a young woman is found strangled to death. A note left behind reads Her sins are forgiven her. Two more victims soon follow, and suddenly every headline is devoted to the killer the press has dubbed--the Priest. When the police ask top-notch psychiatrist Dr. Tess Court to help with their investigation, she comes up with a disturbing portrait of a twisted soul. Detective Ben Paris doesn't give a damn about the killer's psyche. What he can't easily dismiss is Tess. Tall, dark, and good-looking, Ben has a legendary reputation with women, but the coolly elegant Tess doesn't react to him like other women he's known and he finds the challenge enticing. Now, as the two are thrown together in a perilous quest to stop a serial killer, the flame of white-hot passion flares. But someone also has his eyes on the beautiful blond doctor ... and Ben can only pray that if the madman strikes, he'll be able to stop him before it's too late....

The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to...  more

The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike. And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny. But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone -- or something -- starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects...Harry Potter himself!

Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homocide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world -- to engage in the turf war with the lessers. He's got nothing to...  more

Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homocide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world -- to engage in the turf war with the lessers. He's got nothing to lose. His heart belongs to a female vampire, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. If he can't have Marissa, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers... Fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back. But even her love may not be enough to save him...

It was beyond her control to resist him... For ten lusty years, Robbie Mackenzie has savored the sensual pleasures that only a man with no wife can taste. To the lassies of Scotland, he is a living legend, the sole heir of the Black Stag clan, and a prize catch indeed.  But Juliana...  more

It was beyond her control to resist him... For ten lusty years, Robbie Mackenzie has savored the sensual pleasures that only a man with no wife can taste. To the lassies of Scotland, he is a living legend, the sole heir of the Black Stag clan, and a prize catch indeed.  But Juliana Mackay has no such interest in the rogue or his powerful family.  Her mission -- to deliver an unpaid debt for her dying mother -- is the only thing that could force her within reach of the wayward knight.  That is, until an accidental blow to the head sends her reeling right into the brawny arms of Robbie MacKenzie himself. In the heat of the moment, their passions ignite.  But Juliana has forgotten her own identity, as well as her mission -- and Robbie has promised to marry a bride from a rival clan.  How can these two star-crossed lovers resist the love that burns in their hearts... and the desire that consumes their souls?  

The Earl of St. Merryn needs a woman.  His intentions are purely practical -- he simply wants someone sensible and suitably lovely to pose as his betrothed for a few weeks among polite society.  He has his own agenda to pursue, and a false fiancée will keep the husband-hunters...  more

The Earl of St. Merryn needs a woman.  His intentions are purely practical -- he simply wants someone sensible and suitably lovely to pose as his betrothed for a few weeks among polite society.  He has his own agenda to pursue, and a false fiancée will keep the husband-hunters at bay while he goes about his business.  The simplest solution is to hire a paid companion.  Finding the right candidate proves more of a challenge than he expected.  But when he encounters Miss Elenora Lodge, the fire in her golden eyes sways him to make a generous offer.    Her sorry financial circumstances -- and dreams of a life of independence -- convince her to accept.  But St. Merryn appears to be hiding a secret or two, and things seem oddly amiss in his gloomy London home.  Elenora soon discovers that this lark will be a far more dangerous adventure than she'd been led to believe.  And the Earl of St. Merryn will find that the meek and mild companion he'd initially envisioned has become a partner in his quest to catch a killer -- and an outspoken belle of the ball who stirs a bothersome passion in his practical heart.