The Last Earl Standing — Gemma Blackwood

A bluestocking with a secret nom de plume and a dashing spy compete to uncover a scandal – and their undeniable attraction puts all their secrets at risk.Lady Anthea Balfour has never had much luck with eligible gentlemen – and she'd have even less if they knew she was the infamous Lady X behind London's most popular newspaper column. When not one but two wealthy earls suddenly insist on courting her, all her investigative instincts are on high alert. Something is amiss, and Lady X will be the first to expose the scandal.The last thing she needs is a third earl's attention distracting her from her task. Even if he happens to be the charming, handsome and mysterious Lord Streatham...George Bonneville, Earl of Streatham, cannot afford any distractions from his secret mission for the Crown. His work as a spy is dark, dangerous, and leaves no room for romance. But when he meets the alluringly outspoken Anthea, their magnetic connection overturns all his plans.George soon finds himself locked in a deadly game between three powerful lords. The winner will take Anthea's hand – but only George can offer her the passion she deserves.Fortunately, he is accustomed to winning. At any cost.Now, if only he could discover the identity of that pesky Lady X who's been slandering his name in the papers...This is the second book in the series The Impossible Balfours. You do not have to read the other books to enjoy this one, but there are some connections between the books which will reward readers of the whole series.