The first book in the Gorgeous as Sin series, 2009

London, August 1891

PROSPER HUTCHINSON, THE barrister of choice for London’s wealthy, rose from his chair to greet the tall, handsome aristocrat walking through his door. “At last, Your Grace.” He’d sent the duke a message five days ago.

“I was in the country.” The Duke of Groveland stripped off his tan riding gloves as he crossed the sumptuous Axminster carpet custom-made for the imposing corner office overlooking Piccadilly Square.

“Yes, I know.” The duke was entertaining his newest paramour while her husband was shooting in Scotland. Everyone knew.

An easy smile graced the duke’s fine features. “Don’t glower so, Hutchinson. I eventually arrived, and admit it-your messages always smack of crisis.”

“This crisis could cost you a fortune.”

“How much of a fortune?” George Montagu Fitz-Robbins Monckton calmly asked, tossing his gloves on Hutchinson’s large, ornate desk and taking a seat across from his barrister.

“Ninety thousand.” The portly barrister dropped into his chair with a grimace.

The duke arrested his slide into a lounging pose, his dark brows rising faintly. “That much.”

“Perhaps more should your plans for Monckton Row come to naught because Mrs. St. Vincent won’t sell.”

“Mrs. St. Vincent? A theatrical name or”-a smile quirked his lips-“a female of a certain profession?” Apparently over his initial surprise at the sum quoted by his barrister, the duke unbuttoned his fawn-colored silk tweed jacket, stretched out his jodhpur-clad legs, and rested his head against the tufted green leather some decorator had chosen for Hutchinson’s office chairs.

“She is rather a lady of a certain obstinacy, Your Grace,” Prosper Hutchinson grumbled, rapping his fingertips on his desktop to emphasize his displeasure.