The Year of Living Scandalously — Julia London

In 1792, the village of Hadley Green executed a man for stealing the Countess of Ashwood's historic jewels. Fifteen years later, questions still linger. Was it a crime of greed -- or of passion?

When Declan O'Connor, Earl of Donnelly, arrives at Hadley Green to meet with Lily Boudine, the new countess of Ashwood, he immediately recognizes the lovely woman who welcomes him. Pretending to be her cousin Lily in an attempt to avoid an unwanted marriage, Keira Hannigan is staying at the estate while Lily is abroad. When Declan threatens to expose her, Keira convinces him to guard her secret, then enlists him in her investigation of the missing jewels, for she now believes an innocent man was hanged.

Unable to deny the beautiful, exasperating Keira -- or their simmering passion -- Declan reluctantly agrees. But neither is prepared for the dangerous stranger who threatens to reveal Keira's lies . . . and Declan knows he must protect Keira at all costs, for she is the woman who now owns his heart.