Innocence Undone

Jessica Fox has had a thing for Matthew Seaton, Earl of Strickland, since the days when she was the little hellion he spanked for throwing rotten apples at his clean uniform. The daughter of a prostitute, she should by rights have become one too, but Martin would have us believe that she convinced Matt's father, the Marquess of Belmore, to be her guardian. The old man sent her off to a fashionable boarding school and grew to love her like a daughter. Nothing would please him more than the marriage of the two people he loves most, but Matt has plans for a more sensible connection. A secondary couple is darker and more interesting; but with them, Martin's Regency takes a sordid turn with yet another spanking. Martin (Midnight Rider) eventually manages to get her two couples to the altar and delivers the goods, if in a somewhat predictable manner. (Jan.)