<P><b>Returning to the "wickedly witty, lusciously sensual" (Booklist) world of her beloved Malory family, #1 <I>New York Times </i>bestselling author Johanna Lindsey sweeps readers away on a seductive adventure in which a detested marriage contract turns childhood enemies into passionate lovers. <P></b>Nine years ago, Richard Allen fled England and his controlling father. Determined to live his own life, he took to the sea and settled in the Caribbean, joining a band of treasure-hunting pirates and adopting the persona of a carefree, seductive Frenchman named Jean Paul to guard the secrets of his past. When he slips back into England to carry out an urgent task, Richard becomes infatuated with a married woman, Georgina Malory. But his reckless attempt to woo Georgina at a masked ball turns out to be the worst mistake of his life because it brings him face to face with another beautiful woman. <P> <P>Thrilled that her solicitors have finally come up with a way to free her from her betrothal contract to the Earl of Manford&rsquo;s son who abandoned her years ago, heiress Julia Miller is ready for the marriage mart and hopes to find that perfect someone at her friend Georgina&rsquo;s ball. Charmed by a masked Frenchman who gives her her first kiss, she can&rsquo;t help but pursue this mysterious man&mdash;until she makes a shocking discovery. Now, to avoid falling into a ruthless nobleman&rsquo;s trap, Julia must enter a risky, intimate charade with a man she never believed she could love. <P> <P>"There&rsquo;s no better way to spend your time than with the Malorys&mdash;it&rsquo;s like sailing off to heaven," raves <I>Romantic Times</i>. With a little help from the lucky-in-love Malory family, will Richard and Julia discover in each other that perfect someone?