Rogue's Mistress

ROGUE OF NEW ORLEANS

They called him “Julian the Terrible.” Handsome, well-born, and hot-blooded, Julian Devereux gambled, drank, seduced women, and fought duels beneath The Oaks. The one soft spot in his heart was for his beautiful young ward, Mercy O’Shea. Julian had rescued nine-year-old Mercy on that terrible, long-ago night when he was compelled to kill her father. Wracked by guilt, Julian sponsored Mercy’s education and saw to her every need—even though the spirited young miss swore to hate him forever. But now Mercy has blossomed into a passionate, headstrong young woman, and Julian must wonder if he can save her from himself.

ROGUE’S MISTRESS

At eighteen, Mercy O’Shea is ready to escape her relationship with her handsome but arrogant guardian, Julian Devereux. Deliberately slighting Julian, Mercy accepts a marriage proposal from a young man Julian deems unsuitable. Furious when Julian rejects her suitor, Mercy vows to defy him, and soon discovers the horrifying, fascinating truth—that her guardian actually wants her for himself, and is even willing to blackmail her into marriage!

Pride and passion explode between the strong-willed lovers as Mercy becomes Julian’s unwilling bride. Convinced that Julian only desires her physically, Mercy is determined to hide the devastating attraction she feels toward her dark, sexy husband. Julian guards his own heart, unable to reveal to Mercy that he wants her not just as a mistress but as a cherished wife. Can their fragile relationship survive all the secrets of their tortured pasts and bring love and healing to their shattered hearts?

Rogue’s Mistress is a fiery, touching and sensual historical romance set in glittering antebellum New Orleans. Approximately 120,000 words. Eugenia Riley is the renowned, bestselling author of dozens of historical, contemporary, and time-travel romances, including the classics A Tryst in Time and Bushwhacked Bride. She has written for publishers including Avon, Bantam, Warner, Harlequin and Dorchester. She has numerous ebooks available.