Mostly Mayhem — Lisa Manuel

Scandals, Secrets--And A Suspicious New Spouse...
Widowed Tess Hardington's life is complicated enough without marriage. She has her sister's small daughter to raise, her own tarnished reputation to contend with, her greedy uncle's scheme to take control of her inheritance, and her scandalous secret work to continue. It's this last calling that she's most passionate about--but it's also the reason why she needs a new husband, and fast. Without a spouse, her uncle will take her money--and her venture will surely fail.

Former army captain Charles Emerson is hardly a logical candidate--after all, Tess turned him down when they were little more than besotted children. But the lovely young widow is desperate--and Charles finds himself, strangely enough, willing, if only to best Tess's loathsome uncle at his own game. The trouble is, marriage to Tess will not be the simple business arrangement it might be--not with her midnight excursions out of the house prickling his curiosity, and London's prostitutes falling victim to a vicious killer. Is Tess putting herself in harm's way? Unacceptable--especially when Charles realizes that what he feels for his spirited bride is real love, and no secret about it...