The Marquis of Templeton, known as the "Temple", appears as an `idiot fop' to most observers. He has used this ruse to disguise his true identity as a very courageous and effective spy. The Foreign Office assigns him the task of rescuing the chit and see her married to one of two suitors that have asked for her hand in marriage. Temple would rather not have to do this as the less time spent in Diana's company the better. He has always secretly been in love with Diana but through some very convoluted logic (it's a guy thing), born of stubbornness and rebellion, has distanced himself from her - convinced that he would place her in danger. Unfortunately, danger has caught up with Diana, in the form of, and from a source that no one would have suspected as Temple and the `heiress bride stealers' race on to Gretna Green.
STEALING THE BRIDE should steal the hearts of most Regency romance readers. The last ditch effort of the strong and resourceful lead heroine, Lady Diana, to bring Temple up to snuff was for me a lovely plot that I truly enjoyed. The supporting characters were delightful and charmingly amusing and the re-introduction of characters from her previous novels has me now scurrying around looking for the earlier related publications. I have not been disappointed by this author as she brings originality, sparkling dialog and feeling to her characters that make you a part of the `family' and looking for more. This was a truly enjoyable read that I can heartily recommend.
In STEALING THE BRIDE, we find out that Temple and Diana are star-crossed lovers who might have had their own happy-ever-after years ago if not for the manipulations of Temple's rigid grandfather. Now Temple is a man with a secret--no mere society fop whose greatest skill is tying an elegant cravat, the outwardly affable Temple is actually a skilled spy for the Crown. When Lady Diana is reported kidnapped and suspected to be on her way to Gretna Green to wed, Temple is assigned to see her brought home . . . and married at once to the first available man he can find. Temple is certain that man will not be him, but Diana has other plans.
A delightful battle of wills and desires ensues, made all the more enjoyable by an ongoing chase by Napoleon's cronies that sends the pair into hiding and on the run across England. A wonderful romance with many surprising twists and turns, STEALING THE BRIDE is a 5-star keeper!
A Scandalous Elopement
The Marquis of Templeton has faced every sort of danger in his work for the King, but chasing after a wayward spinster who's had the effrontery to run off with the wrong man hardly seems worth his considerable talents. But when the heiress in question is none other than Lady Diana Fordham, Temple is about to meet his match. Tempestuous and passionate, headstrong and opinionated, the lady is everything a man should avoid...
A Dangerous Plan
Diana has no intention of making Temple's assignment easy. In fact she has every reason to turn his life upside down -- just as he did to hers when he broke her heart years ago. Now it's Diana's turn to give Temple a lesson in love, from a teasing glance to a scandalous embrace. However, as she leads him on a merry chase from London to Gretna Green, they soon realize that a kiss once given is hard to forget, and a rekindled passion is impossible to deny.