The Notorious Lord Knightly

A jilted woman gets revenge on her former fiancé in Heath’s delicious second Chessmen: Masters of Seduction Victorian romance (after The Counterfeit Scoundrel). Regina Leyland fled to the continent after Arthur Pennington, Earl of Knightly, left her at the altar. Five years later, she returns to London—and she’s no longer the wide-eyed innocent she once was. She anonymously publishes a thinly veiled account of a villainous rogue she calls “Lord K.” Londoners quickly become obsessed with the novel, and Arthur’s furious to be at the center of the gossip. But after Regina refuses Arthur’s plea to write a retraction—and tells him of the daughter, Arianna, she had during her travels (and who she claims is the product of a continental affair)—he realizes how much pain he caused her and reforms, even offering to help Regina snare a suitable marriage prospect. Though Regina remains conflicted, as the pair work together she remembers why she fell in love with Arthur in the first place—and he reveals the impossible choice that led to calling off their wedding. Regina is admirably resilient, and the slowly rekindling love between her and Arthur will make readers swoon. This is second-chance romance done right. Agent: Robin Rue, Writers House. (June)