Lord Hayden Rothwell feels unsettled by the disasters that have befallen the women of the Longworth household. But only he knows that it could be much worse and that his own actions have actually saved the family some heartache. The head of the family, weak-willed Timothy Longworth, was stealing from the family bank. Instead of letting him hang, Rothwell steps in to save his life, but in doing so must destroy the family's fortune so all the money can be paid back.

Cousin Alexia Welbourne is penniless and has been living with the Longworth family. She is determined not to be a burden to the financially destroyed family and so must make her own way. Reluctantly, she takes a position with Rothwell's family, working as a companion to his aunt and a governess for a young cousin.

Unfortunately, a strong attraction between Alexia and Hayden is just the thing needed to mess up their well-laid plans. Alexia is determined not to give in, knowing that is the road to ruin. She may be poor, but she has a strong vein of pride running through her. And besides, no one could possibly fight the memory of the love she has for her slain cousin, Benjamin.

As always, Ms. Hunter excels at drawing characters with true motivations and realistic personalities. I have read every one of her books and always enjoy them. Although I figured out early where this storyline was going, I was compelled to keep reading because I just had to find out what was going to happen to these people. It was particularly interesting to watch the characters in the Longworth family evolve during a time of crisis.

Book Summary

Dangerous. Sensual. Handsome as sin. Meet Hayden Rothwell, the shamelessly erotic hero of The Rules of Seduction and author Madeline Hunter’s most irresistible alpha male yet: a man of extraordinary passion and power, a man who can bring out the seductress in any woman.…

He enters her home without warning or invitation–a stranger of shadowy motives and commanding sensuality. Within hours, Alexia Welbourne is penniless, without any hope of marriage. Until Hayden Rothwell takes her to bed. When one impulsive act of passion forces Alexia to marry the very man who has ruined her, Hayden’s seduction of Alexia is nearly complete. What Alexia doesn’t know is that her irresistible new husband is driven by a secret purpose–and a debt of honor he will risk everything to repay. Alexia is the wild card. Reluctant to give up their nightly pleasures, Hayden must find a way to keep Alexia by his side...only to be utterly, thoroughly seduced by a woman who is now playing by her own rules.