Book excerpt: Adriana is the capable secretary of the crown prince of Kitzinia. Her foremothers sullied the family name by seducing kings and reducing them to ruin, but Adriana has thrown herself into her work in an effort to restore her family’s honor. Having come to respect her for these efforts, the crown prince gives Adriana her most difficult assignment yet?keeping an eye on his scandalous younger brother, Prince Patricio. Adriana, however, soon realizes that she is becoming more attracted to Patricio every day. She never wanted to fall in love with a member of the royal family, but she can’t help herself. Is her bloodline cursed after all?