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She Needed to be Tamed . . . She was a breathtaking firebrand, and Vere Mallory, the notorious Duke of Ainswood, had never seen anything like her. Although he thought he was rescuing Lydia Grenville from the cluches of a renowned wastrel, he quickly discovers she is angry at his interference!... read more

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Vere Mallory is the last Mallory Hellion. History says that the family name means Trouble and no one could be more of a hellion than Vere: the obnoxious, conceited, conscienceless, et cetera, et cetera, Duke of Ainswood. But the family name also means Sadness – in the past 10 years Vere has... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Vere Mallory is the last Mallory Hellion. History says that the family name means Trouble and no one could be more of a hellion than Vere: the obnoxious, conceited, conscienceless, et cetera, et cetera, Duke of Ainswood. But the family name also means Sadness – in the past 10 years Vere has been to more funerals than he would have liked, the last one being that of his beloved cousin Robin, the previous Duke. So, on top of being the obnoxious, conceited, conscienceless, et cetera, et cetera he is also Sad and Lonely. His has been a life of Dissipation and Debauchery ( along with his childhood friend Sebastian, Marquess of Dain) that got even worse after he inherited his title after the death of so many family members. He cares not for his title or for his wards (Robin’s two sisters). Until he meets Lydia Grenville.

Lydia is a 28 year old spinster who works as a journalist for a London newspaper – her articles talk about social problems like prostitution and her research usually takes her to not so good parts of the town where she tends to get into trouble. This is how they first meet – she is trying to save a girl from being co-opted by London’s most famous female pimp and a fight is in the making. Vere tries to “save” her without realising that this woman does not need saving and is rewarded with a punch in the gut that knocks him down. What he doesn’t know yet is that what really hit him was love with capital L. Over the following weeks he can not avoid bumping into Grenville, who is an independent and intelligent woman that knows what she wants. And what she wants is to remain independent even though she can’t help falling in lust and in love with Vere and when he first proposes to her she says no. And so they fight and they argue and the sparks fly until she relents and their story enters into a second phase.

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The Duke of Ainswood's family name was Mallory.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 3 of 4 in Scoundrels. (standard series)

Preceded by Lord of Scoundrels, and followed by Captives of the Night.

This is book 66 of 100 in AAR Top 100 Romances 2010. (authoritative list)

Preceded by Passion, and followed by Love in the Afternoon.

This is book 78 of 100 in AAR Top 100 Romances 2000. (authoritative list)

Preceded by Rendezvous, and followed by Mr. Perfect.

This is book 53 of 109 in Top 109 Romance Novels (TheRomanceReader.com). (community list)

Preceded by As You Desire, and followed by Frederica.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Loretta Chase (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Avon
Country: United States
Publication Date: April 1, 1998
ISBN: 9780380776177
Page Count: 384

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