Courting the Duchess

He vanished without a word. Only now that he has returned, her heart isn't ready to forgive-or forget. Eight years ago, Sterling St. John, Duke of Morton, vanished mere hours after marrying his innocent young bride. Alaina was left humiliated, heartbroken...and untouched. London buzzed with gossip, but she endured it all and emerged transformed. Now a sharp-tongued beauty and the fearless founder of a scandalously progressive ladies' reading Society, Alaina has no intention of welcoming her wayward husband home. She's determined to show him he's neither needed nor wanted. But Sterling isn't the same man either. Hardened by years of secrets and haunted by decisions he cannot reveal, he knows protecting the wife he never wished to leave means keeping her in the dark. Yet the fiery woman she's become tries his sanity and ignites his passion; he never expected the woman she became to tempt him past all reason. It isn't long before both realize that there's still something there, that they were meant to be together. But when the truth comes to light, will love be enough to bridge the years-and the secrets-that lie between them? Note: This series is part of Dragonblade's Flame line, so this is a scorching-hot read with open-door steam. Spy Society Book 1 - Courting the Duchess Book 2 - Seducing the Spy Book 3 - Marrying the Marquess