When the Duchess of Harborough offers Harriet Treene a chance to model for one of her alluring paintings, Harriet accepts. Beautiful, witty, and bold, Harriet is a lowborn orange-seller in St. James Park. Can this diamond-in-the-rough be polished enough to find a place in the genteel ton -- and in the heart of London's most enigmatic rake? Devilishly irresistible William Manderville, Earl of Bonnington, refuses to take a wife because the covert risks he takes for the sake of his country put him in constant danger. A painting by his friend the duchess -- of a woman who looks like the goddess Venus -- could change his mind, however. As the duchess plays matchmaker between the enamored earl and the mysterious beauty, William finds himself caught up in a maelstrom of powerful emotions and desires he has never felt before. But can he finally take the risk of loving a woman when his love of danger and excitement will put her in harm's way?

When Napoleon's troops invade Naples, noblewoman Francesca Robin is promised safe passage to England on Admiral Lord Nelson's ship--but only if she can find an English husband. Captain Lord Edward Ramsden has built a stellar naval career. He's taken with Francesca, and shocks himself by taking her as his wife. It is a means to an end, and yet they find themselves drawn together by passionate force.

Consisting of literary gossip, criticisms of books and local historical matters connected with Rhode Island.