Sophia James - Ruined By The Reckless Viscount

The Lady in Red

Viscount Winterton abducts a woman to protect her—but he kidnaps the wrong girl in red! The scandalous carriage dash leads to the ruin of Lady Florentia Hale-Burton’s reputation...and the viscount’s apparent demise.

Years later, Flora discovers her kidnapper is alive and as entrancingly handsome as she remembers! Disguised, she agrees to paint his portrait in an attempt to understand the man who’s haunted her fantasies. Is it revenge that has brought her this close to him again...or something even more reckless?

‘I am sure in your profession you must have some days in less than your petticoats, Miss Kensington.’

‘Miss…Kensington?’ Her voice sounded rusty, her fright evident in every single syllable, and she trembled as she took in breath. ‘I think…you are indeed…mistaken.’

‘Acacia Kensington?’ He heard the horror in his tone. ‘You are Miss Acacia Kensington, the paramour of my cousin Thomas, are you not?’

She shook her head hard, the long blonde hair falling loose now in a swathe across her shoulders and down over her chest.

‘I am not, sir. I am…Lady Florentia Hale-B…Burton…youngest daughter of…of the Earl of Albany.’ Each breath was raw with the effort of talking.

‘Hell.’ He could not believe it. ‘Hell!’ he repeated, and all the clues fell into place. The servant running down the road before the park, screaming. The ring. The priggish dress. Her voice.

He’d kidnapped the wrong woman—rendered her unconscious and subjected her to the sort of danger and terror she’d probably never manage to recover from.

For the first time in his life he was almost speechless.

Author Note Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Author Note Title Page About the Author 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 Extract Copyright

I love characters with secrets from the past—and if that past is intertwined with danger then it is all the better!

James Waverley, Viscount Winterton, is back in England after ruining Lady Florentia Hale-Burton’s chances of marriage.

But the spark that was ignited between them six years ago is about to burst into flames…and this time Florentia has devised an ingenious plan to discover just who ‘Winter’ really is.

Ruined by the Reckless Viscount

Sophia James

www.millsandboon.co.uk

SOPHIA JAMES lives in Chelsea Bay, on Auckland, New Zealand’s North Shore, with her husband, who is an artist. She has a degree in English and History from Auckland University and believes her love of writing was formed by reading Georgette Heyer in the holidays at her grandmother’s house. Sophia enjoys getting feedback at sophiajames.net.

Books by Sophia James

Mills & Boon Historical Romance

The Penniless Lords

Marriage Made in Money

Marriage Made in Shame

Marriage Made in Rebellion

Marriage Made in Hope

Men of Danger

Mistletoe Magic

Mistress at Midnight

Scars of Betrayal

The Wellingham Brothers

High Seas to High Society

One Unashamed Night

One Illicit Night

The Dissolute Duke

Stand-Alone Novels

Knight of Grace

Lady with the Devil’s Scar

Gift-Wrapped Governesses

‘Christmas at Blackhaven Castle’

Ruined by the Reckless Viscount

Visit the Author Profile page

at millsandboon.co.ukfor more titles.

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The Lady in Red Viscount Winterton abducts a woman to protect her—but he kidnaps the wrong girl in red! The scandalous carriage dash leads to the ruin of Lady Florentia Hale-Burton’s reputation...and the viscount’s apparent demise. Years later, Flora discovers her kidnapper is alive and as entrancingly handsome as she remembers! Disguised, she agrees to paint his portrait in an attempt to understand the man who’s haunted her fantasies. Is it revenge that has brought her this close to him again...or something even more reckless?

Introduction ‘I am sure in your profession you must have some days in less than your petticoats, Miss Kensington.’ ‘Miss…Kensington?’ Her voice sounded rusty, her fright evident in every single syllable, and she trembled as she took in breath. ‘I think…you are indeed…mistaken.’ ‘Acacia Kensington?’ He heard the horror in his tone. ‘You are Miss Acacia Kensington, the paramour of my cousin Thomas, are you not?’ She shook her head hard, the long blonde hair falling loose now in a swathe across her shoulders and down over her chest. ‘I am not, sir. I am…Lady Florentia Hale-B…Burton…youngest daughter of…of the Earl of Albany.’ Each breath was raw with the effort of talking. ‘Hell.’ He could not believe it. ‘Hell!’ he repeated, and all the clues fell into place. The servant running down the road before the park, screaming. The ring. The priggish dress. Her voice. He’d kidnapped the wrong woman—rendered her unconscious and subjected her to the sort of danger and terror she’d probably never manage to recover from. For the first time in his life he was almost speechless.

Author Note Author Note Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Author Note Title Page About the Author 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 Extract Copyright I love characters with secrets from the past—and if that past is intertwined with danger then it is all the better! James Waverley, Viscount Winterton, is back in England after ruining Lady Florentia Hale-Burton’s chances of marriage. But the spark that was ignited between them six years ago is about to burst into flames…and this time Florentia has devised an ingenious plan to discover just who ‘Winter’ really is.

Title Page Ruined by the Reckless Viscount Sophia James www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author SOPHIA JAMES lives in Chelsea Bay, on Auckland, New Zealand’s North Shore, with her husband, who is an artist. She has a degree in English and History from Auckland University and believes her love of writing was formed by reading Georgette Heyer in the holidays at her grandmother’s house. Sophia enjoys getting feedback at sophiajames.net . Books by Sophia James Mills & Boon Historical Romance The Penniless Lords Marriage Made in Money Marriage Made in Shame Marriage Made in Rebellion Marriage Made in Hope Men of Danger Mistletoe Magic Mistress at Midnight Scars of Betrayal The Wellingham Brothers High Seas to High Society One Unashamed Night One Illicit Night The Dissolute Duke Stand-Alone Novels Knight of Grace Lady with the Devil’s Scar Gift-Wrapped Governesses ‘Christmas at Blackhaven Castle’ Ruined by the Reckless Viscount Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk for more titles.

Chapter One

Chapter Two