Scandals and Spies

Stealing a code book from an enemy spy should be easy for someone like Frederica Vale. As the plain-looking older sister, she's practically invisible at social events. Never mind that she has no experience as a spy or that the codebook rests in the possession of one of the most powerful men in England. Freddie has no choice - she's desperate to save her young sister from the lecherous intentions of their guardian and recovering the book is her only option. Tristan Graylocke has never been able to measure up to his brother, the Duke of Tenwick. But being second best has its advantages. No one pressures him to get married and produce an heir, leaving him to carouse at will - an activity that lends itself perfectly to the brothers' secret lives as spies. When an alluring enemy spy shows up at the house party planned specifically for the purposes of passing along a code book, Tristan finds himself drawn under her spell. Freddie seems innocent and inexperienced. Is her innocence a clever guise, or is she being coerced by someone? Tristan and Freddie soon find themselves engaged in a seductive game of cat and mouse where each will do what they must for their country, especially if it involves kissing the enemy.

Well-mannered women don't have careers in 1806 so Philomena St. Gobain disguises herself as a man to attend the Society for the Advancement of Science meetings where she sells her inventions to a select, chosen few. The handsome Duke of Tenwick is not one of those chosen few, so when he corners Phil in the hallway during a clandestine meeting with one of her suppliers, she slips away as quickly as she can. Since she and the Duke have never been introduced and rarely travel in the same circles, Phil is hardly worried about him guessing her true identity... until he shows up two days later at the ball she is holding with the missing piece from one of her most coveted inventions in his hand. Morgan Graylocke, the tenth Duke of Tenwick, takes the spy business seriously. Normally relegated to desk work, his brother's recent marriage has given him an opportunity to work in the field. He never imagined his first assignment would throw him in the path of someone as beautiful and intriguing as Philomena St. Gobain. But his delight soon turns to trepidation as he realizes it may not be a coincidence that Phil shows up at all the same locations where Morgan is sent to catch the traitor who is passing information to the French. Is it possible the woman he is falling for is the very spy he is looking to capture?

When newly-minted spy Lord Gideon Graylocke is asked to put his botany skills to the test and concoct a serum vital to the defense of England, he eagerly agrees. Never mind that he has to combine forces with F. Albright, a crackpot scientist with whom he had recently been in a public feud. At least he'll have a chance to prove this crackpot's theories are pure bunk. Felicia Albright has been her own woman, answering to no one since the age of 17. But when the Duke of Tenwick elicits her aid in helping England, she can hardly refuse. Even more so when she finds out she'll be working with the annoying botanist who has been trying to disprove her research. What better way to help her country and prove that she is right? But when things don't go as planned, Felicia and Gideon have to not only fight their unwanted, growing attraction but also the evil-doer who seems intent on sabotaging their work. Even worse, it can only be someone within Tenwick Abbey that is trying to subvert their mission. Someone in their midst is an enemy spy. With their research in shambles and their lives in danger, Gideon and Felicia realize they can only trust each other. Will they be able to perfect the serum in time to protect England... and themselves?

If there's anything Joy "Rocky" Rookwood loves more than the plants she tends to at Tenwick Abbey, it's a challenge; that's precisely why she's agreed to become the latest spy in Morgan Graylocke's household. When she's tasked with going undercover as gardener in another house to ferret out a high-level traitor she jumps at the chance. The only fly in the ointment is that she has to take fellow botanist, and also newly minted spy, Edgar Catterson III with her as backup. Rocky and Catt rarely see eye to eye. Edgar "Catt" Catterson III has found new purpose in his role as a spy for the crown so when the Duke of Tenwick gives him an assignment to go undercover he rises to the challenge. Too bad he has to act as assistant to his prickly friend and fellow botanist Rocky. Working with her all day in the confines of the estates hothouse is bad enough, but acting as her subordinate is almost too much to bear. But as Rocky and Catt try to figure out exactly who the spy is, they discover something neither expected - a growing attraction to each other. As their relationship heats up, the deadline to unmask the spy before he passes on damaging information at a masquerade ball is looming. Rocky and Catt must meet danger head on even if it means losing each other to ensure the safety of their country.