Book excerpt: Returning to the "wickedly witty, lusciously sensual" (Booklist) world of her beloved Malory family, #1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey sweeps readers away on a seductive adventure in which a detested marriage contract turns childhood enemies into passionate lovers. 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. Thrilled that her solicitors have finally come up with a way to free her from her betrothal contract to the Earl of Manford’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’s ball. Charmed by a masked Frenchman who gives her her first kiss, she can’t help but pursue this mysterious man—until she makes a shocking discovery. Now, to avoid falling into a ruthless nobleman’s trap, Julia must enter a risky, intimate charade with a man she never believed she could love. "There’s no better way to spend your time than with the Malorys—it’s like sailing off to heaven," raves Romantic Times. With a little help from the lucky-in-love Malory family, will Richard and Julia discover in each other that perfect someone?