Edmund Hawkins returns to London after being with the Royal Navy's African Squadron patrolling for human cargo. Frequenting a "den o' sin," he is fascinated with the Gold Lady, Zarsitti, a blonde beauty flaunting veils and erotic dancing. Desperate to form a relationship, Eddie finds himself injured while rescuing her from thugs. Amy Peele has no choice but to take Eddie to her lodgings to care of the head injury that has left him with amnesia.

As Eddie and Amy hide awaiting the return of his memory, she loses her job and is destitute. Eddie's brothers finally locate them and aid him in recovering his memory. The stage is now set to uncover the mystery of Amy's past and avoid the thugs intent on her abduction. Kidnapped as a young girl, Amy was finally able to escape and has been on the run ever since. When Eddie uncovers her true identity, Amy learns she is the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Estabrooke. But she is devastated that she has been affianced to the Marquis of Gravenhurst since birth. Having lost her heart to Eddie only makes it more difficult when Amy is forced to marry the marquis, whose dark secrets of revenge threaten Amy's very existence.

Full of mystery and adventure, this story will keep you on your toes in staying abreast of the fast moving events surrounding Eddie and Amy. Amy is a gutsy young woman strong enough to fight to achieve her dreams, while transitioning from a waif to a respected lady of the Ton. The devotion Eddie has for Amy is complete and I thoroughly loved his character. I found this to be a very fast read that completely captured my attention.

Book Summary

From the dark and sensuous underworld to the gleaming halls of society...another sizzling and edgy read from talented author Alexandra Benedict.

Like an irresistible siren, the veiled dancer with the bewitching green eyes lures dukes and earls down into London's underworld to see her dance — and succumb to her spell. Some say she's a princess, but only one man knows her darkest secret.

She is Amy Peel, an orphan from the city's rookeries, and she believes the bold rogue who unmasks her to be nothing but a scoundrel — albeit a dangerously handsome one. He may have rescued her from an attempted kidnapping, but she will not give in to his sensual seduction or to the wicked desire she begins to feel . . .

He is Edmund Hawkins, swashbuckling pirate turned reluctant gentleman, and he will not let the lovely Amy slip through his grasp, especially when he learns she's in greater peril than she could possibly know. He will do everything in his power to protect her — for this notorious scoundrel has truly, unbelievably, lost his heart . . .