The second book in the Regency series, 1993

Dear Reader,

With Four in Hand, we are stepping back to the second book I ever wrote-and quite probably the most classic Regency romp I've created thus far. I remember that when I sat down to start writing it, all I knew was that poor Max was going to fall hard-you'll understand when you meet him that that is the only way a rake like Max could fall-and the horrendous complication for him was that his bride-to-be had three sisters, all with marriage on their minds.

By a baleful stroke of fate, all three sisters were his wards. And the eldest, the lady his roving eye immediately fixed upon, thought she was, too.

Now, what would be the greatest torture for an acknowledged London wolf to have to battle in winning the lady of his heart? My answer in this book is to have to protect and defend the honor of his lady's three sisters-none of whom are in the least grateful-against the incursions of his friends and peers, while simultaneously trying to woo a lady of independent mind.

I hope you enjoy the story of how Max triumphs against the odds!

Stephanie Laurens

The rattle of the curtain rings sounded like thunder. The head of the huge four-poster bed remained wreathed in shadow yet Max was aware that for some mysterious reason Masterton was trying to wake him. Surely it couldn't be noon already?

Lying prone amid his warm sheets, his stubbled cheek cushioned in softest down, Max contemplated faking slumber. But Masterton knew he was awake. And knew that he knew, so to speak. Sometimes,

the damned man seemed to know his thoughts before he did. And he certainly wouldn't go away before Max capitulated and acknowledged him.