Scandals — Penelope Neri

Victoria Hawthorne was merely stealing a kiss in the hayfield when her father caught her. But to have the gossips of the ton tell it, she was no more than a common strumpet. What they didn't know was that she and Ned Thomas were in love--and she intended to run away with him as soon as she returned from her London Season.
Although her dance card was blank, the rumors could not keep one handsome suitor at bay: Steede Warring, eighth earl of Blackstone. Condemned by society for his wife's tragic death, known behind his back as the Brute, he would have Victoria as his bride, even if he had to trick her into elopement. Resenting this man who dared keep her from her true love, Victoria was now helpless to escape the marriage bed. But she could not know that Steede would uncover her body's hidden pleasures, and show her that only faith and trust could cast aside the pain of bitter...Scandals