Conscienceless seducer, cunning spy, confident scoundrel.

Trevor Hunt, the Duke of Ridgely, has been called many things, most of which are true. Reviled by his family, hated by many, he's earned his reputation in the seedy streets of London and more than his fair share of bedchambers. But battling deadly foes and irate husbands failed to prepare the duke for the most troublesome role he's played yet: guardian to one maddening hoyden.

Lady Virtue Walcot has spent most of her life abandoned, ignored, and forgotten. She's used her unfortunate circumstances to her advantage, filling her time with books and knowledge, yearning to build an independent life for herself. When her father's sudden death leaves her the ward of a ruthless former spy, her world is instantly upended.

An innocent ward is a burden Ridgely never asked for, and he'll do everything he can to see the chit wedded and his duties happily ended. There's just one small problem: he can't stop thinking of ways he might put the luscious Lady Virtue's sharp tongue to better use than pointed barbs in his direction. Then there's the matter of the unknown villain who's trying to kill him. Best make that two small problems, one deuced enticing and the other downright dangerous…

From USA Today bestselling author Scarlett Scott comes a deliciously wicked new Regency romance featuring scorching heat between a jaded guardian and his bluestocking ward, plus a delightful dash of mystery.