Surrendering to London's most scandalous salon is Sarah's only escape from starvation—until a cynical journalist raises the stakes.
An innocent virgin enters a brothel to escape starvation and receives expert tutelage in the steamy Victorian parlor games that rakish gentlemen indulge in. . . .
Down to her last pence, former milliner Sarah Chesham seeks kitchen work at Mrs. Erskine's establishment. Instead, she finds herself facing a salon where card matches demand forfeits of stockings and modesty.
When a lecherous politician corners her at the card table, scandal-writer Tom Wilde purchases her time for the month. Yet between daring shadow plays and midnight forfeits, Sarah finds herself falling for the very rogue who paid to keep her.
- Forced Proximity: Bound by Mrs. Erskine's house rules, Sarah must endure nightly parlor games where blindfolds and ticking hourglasses leave no room for retreat.
- Morally Grey Hero: Known across London as the Adder of Fleet Street, Tom Wilde wields his poison pen against corrupt politicians while fiercely guarding the woman he bought.
- Slow Burn: Determined not to ruin her virtue, Tom holds his desire on a tight leash, tempting Sarah until her resistance crumbles into mutual longing.
- Also by This Author: The Price of Desire, Mistress and Captive.
