A Masquerade with the Devil

<p><strong>He ruined her once with a whisper. Now she'll ruin them both with a lie.</strong></p><p>Lady Clara Mapleton believes in love-the kind worth waiting for not the kind brokered in drawing rooms or secured by titles. It certainly doesn't include Crispin Hallworth Earl of Oakford a man so steeped in scandal he's earned the name <em>Devil of Oakford</em>.</p><p>But when a masked kiss at a lavish masquerade threatens to destroy her reputation Clara does the unthinkable to protect herself: she claims they are engaged.</p><p>Crispin is stunned. Clara is the one woman he's never managed to charm or forget. A fake betrothal might serve them both... if they can resist the temptation simmering behind their practiced roles long enough to find a way out.</p><p>With every stolen glance and every staged touch hatred gives way to something far more dangerous-desire.</p><p><strong>Because falling for the devil was never part of the plan. Neither was surrender.</strong></p>