The Rules of Seduction (Rothwell 1) by Madeline Hunter

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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... read more

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Miss Alexia Welborne and Lord Hayden Rothwell don’t start out on the best foot. When Alexia’s father was ruined through bad investments, her cousins took her in. For a while, she had hopes that the eldest, Ben, would offer for her when he returned from fighting the Turks in Greece but when Ben was lost at sea on the way back, she abandoned those dreams. Now she finds her life about to be overturned again. Unknown to his family, cousin Tim has been stealing from the accounts of the family bank which looks like it might fail as have several others around the country. Hayden’s family has kept their massive holdings there despite rumors that it’s about to fail but when Hayden discovers the truth, he forces Tim’s hand. Tim can either sell almost everything the family owns and pay back those he swindled or Hayden will reveal his actions which could lead to Tim hanging for his crimes.

Tim takes the cowardly way out and tells his sisters and Alexia that the reason behind them losing everything they own is that Hayden did remove his family holdings from the bank. Hayden had given his word to Tim not to reveal the truth and has to endure the scorn of Alexia, her female cousins and several of his friends. With Tim out of the way, Hayden and his fellow bank manager begin to try and secretly repair the damage Tim has done. His first thoughts on meeting Alexia aren’t true love either but something about her catches Hayden’s interest. He decides to offer her a position helping to finish one of his cousins for her London Season and also to be a companion to her mother (Hayden’s aunt). Alexia wants to throw the offer in Hayden’s face but the practicality forced on her by the misfortunes of her life compels her to accept.

As the Season begins, Alexia takes up her new duties and finds herself trying to avoid Hayden while Hayden finds himself trying to see her. Their meetings usually lead to sparks and Hayden slowly sees that there is something different about this woman. She’s not the most beautiful woman of his acquaintance but she’s got depth and intelligence and for some reason, he wants her. This baffles the man who usually views the world through cool, mathmatical precision. When he finds himself comforting Alexia after she discovers some unpalatable truths, he gets his chance. Afterwards he finds himself offering her marriage. Now Alexia is really torn. Does she accept his offer and secure for herself a wealthy future free of the financial fears she’s lived under for 8 years but at the price of losing her cousins, the only family she has left? Or does she turn him down and try to carve out a precarious livelihood but one which is free of the man who ruined her cousins?

Characters edit see section history

Alexia Welbourne: An orphan, she lives with her cousins.
Hayden Rothwell: Add a description of this character.
Benjamin Longworth: Alexia's cousin. He went and fought the turks but was lost at sea. Alexia had hoped to marry him.
Timothy Longworth: Alexia's cousin. He loses all the Longworth money.
Caroline
Easterbrook
Phaedra
Roselyn
Henrietta
Bell
Mr. Darfield
Irene
Sutton
Elliot
Mrs. Bramble
Madame Tissot
Falkner
Lucinda Morrison
Chalgrove
Matthew
Lawson
Nicholson

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Quotes edit see section history

“" Passion has its place. But the mind always rule. Emotions lead to impulses that destroy honor, fortune & happiness." -Lord Hayden's father-”

Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers
His embrace tightened. “He cannot have you now. It is too late. You are my wife.”
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The expectation of pleasure teased her, but the daylight made her uncomfortable.
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“There are many reasons I love you, Alexia. I look forward to telling you about each one. I am not accustomed to how you can move me with your honest faith and loyalty.”
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Black spots swam in her head, and she fainted right into Benjamin Longworth’s arms.
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I fell in love with you, damn it. I wanted you on sight, I took you, and then I fell in love with YOU.
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When had the desire to share her company changed his habits? When had her moods begun to determine his own?
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The rational mind is what makes us human. The Greeks knew that, and it is a lesson that a man forgets to his peril. Passion has its place, but the mind must always rule. Emotions lead to impulses that destroy honor, fortune, and happiness.
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He had taken a good woman’s virginity on an attic floor. His behavior had been inexcusable, dishonorable, irrational, and disgraceful. And he wasn’t nearly as sorry about it as he was supposed to be.
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Benjamin was right. If she chose to stay on this ship, Hayden would let her go. Not because he did not love her enough to fight for her. Because he loved her too much to imprison her.
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If Phaedra Blair did not possess both style and beauty,
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Setting & Locations edit see section history

First Sentence edit see section history

A shadow entered the house with the early visitor.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 1 of 4 in Rothwell. (standard series)

Followed by The Lessons of Desire.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

Madeline Hunter (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Dell
Country: USA
Publication Date: October 31, 2006
ISBN: 978-0553587326
Page Count: 416

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Dewey: 813.6

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Adults

Sexual content

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The Rules of Seduction (2006) (edit title/settings)

by Madeline Hunter (Author) (edit contributors)