The Rake's Revenge

The Rake's Revenge
Gail Ranstrom

THE EARL OF GLENROSS WOULD HAVE HIS REVENGE–BUT AT WHAT PRICE?Rob McHugh had survived an agonizing ordeal in foreign climes only to discover his family's tragedy was rooted in British soil. For a terrible irony revealed that Afton Lovejoy, his beautiful English rose, had dangerous thorns–and was, in fact, the very woman he'd sworn to destroy!AFTON LOVEJOY WAS BENT ON JUSTICE!Her beloved aunt had been murdered, forcing Afton to masquerade as fortune-teller to the ton to find the killer. What she found, however, was a dangerous, heady mix of intrigue and desire–for Rob McHugh, notorious womanizer, had roused her passions…and her suspicions!

“What could you possibly have to interest me?”

There was challenge in McHugh’s voice, and insult. Yet she knew she loved him, needed him as he could never need her.

Even worse, she could not rid herself of the memory of the sensations he’d evoked. Her thoughts kept returning there, wanting more, needing more, and knowing she could never submit to such intimacies again if they did not come from him.

She lifted her chin in defiance, daring him to carry out his threat, both dreading and needing the answer to her question. What did he mean to do?

McHugh closed the remaining distance between them and pulled her roughly against him. “Damn it! You know what I want, Afton. You’ve always known, and you’ve used it against me.”

She sighed. “How could I when I wanted it, too?”

Praise for Gail Ranstrom

Saving Sarah

“Gail Ranstrom has written a unique story with several twists that work within the confines of Regency England…. If Ranstrom’s first book showed promise, then Saving Sarah is when Ranstrom comes of age.”

—The Romance Reader

A Wild Justice

“Gail Ranstrom certainly has both writing talent and original ideas.”

—The Romance Reader

The Rake’s Revenge

Gail Ranstrom

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

For Natalie, Jay and Katie, the three best things that

ever happened to me. Thank you for being my best friends

and my biggest fans. I love you

more than words can ever say.

A grateful nod to the bridge ladies

of Missoula, Montana: Shari L., Linda K., Nancy G.,

Sherry S., Nancy N., Linda C. and Judy S.

Your strength, kindness and friendship have been

an inspiration. Thank you for being with me

through the darkest times and the brightest.

And, of course, the Wednesday League—

Margaret, Cynthia and Rosanne.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen