The seven members of the Bastion Club have served loyally in the perilous service of the Crown. Now they've banded together to support one another through their most dangerous mission of all: getting married. When Charles St. Austell returns home to claim his title as earl, and to settle quickly on a suitable wife as well, he discovers that experience has made him impatient of the young ladies who vie for his attention-with the exception of Lady Penelope Selborne. Years ago, Charles and Penelope's youthful ardor was consummated in an unforgettable afternoon. Charles is still haunted by their interlude, but Penny refuses to have anything more to do with him. If controlling her heart was difficult before, resisting a stronger, battle-hardened Charles is well nigh impossible, yet Penelope has vowed she won't make the same mistake twice, nor will she marry without love. But when a traitorous intrigue draws them together, then ultimately threatens them both-will Penny discover she has a true protector in Charles, her first and only love, who now vows to make her his own?

Stephanie Laurens' scandalous fiction is savored by romance addicts around the world who can't get enough of her dashing rakes and ravishing debutantes. This sultry addition to her best-selling Bastion Club series presents an unforgettable tale of rekindled love and unbridled passion. As betrayal and intrigue swirl around her, Lady Penelope finds herself inexorably drawn into the strong arms of the man she cannot resist.

Returning home from war to claim his title as earl and to find a suitable bride, Charles St. Austell longs for his first love, Lady Penelope Selborne, who refuses to have anything to do with him.

As betrayal and intrigue swirl around her, Lady Penelope finds herself inexorably drawn into the strong arms of the man she cannot resist.

Regency romance juggernaut Laurens shows signs of fatigue in the third book of her Bastion Club septet (after The Lady Chosen and A Gentleman's Honor). Lord Charles St. Austell, earl of Lostwithiel, is one of the seven noble members of the Bastion Club ("a last bastion against the matchmakers of the ton") who served as spies during the Napoleonic wars and who still do a bit of investigating for the Crown when they're not braving eager ladies on the marriage mart. At his country estate, Charles encounters old friend (and old flame) Lady Penelope Selborne, who's up to her neck in intrigue. Penny's late brother may have been involved in schemes to smuggle secrets to France during the war-schemes that seem to be continuing with new sources even after his death. The novel features all the steamy sensuality for which Laurens is known, but the sex scenes lack the spark typical of her best work; Penny and Charles spend far too much time staring longingly at each other, dutifully denying their own urges. The unwieldy spy plot, meanwhile, progresses with agonizing slowness as the two interrogate every suspicious newcomer in town. Dedicated fans will probably stick with Laurens through the remaining four Bastion Club titles, but she's going to have to pick up the pace if she's to keep others intrigued. Agent, Nancy Yost. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Welcome back to the Bastion Club as our next ex-secret hero meets his match in a wild ride of lost love, refound family secrets, spies, murder and mayhem.

Lord Charles St. Austell, a founding member of the Bastion Club, leaps at the chance to get out of London and investigate rumors of spies operating via smuggling gangs near his Cornwall home. But his most important discovery is Lady Penelope Selbourne.

Impatient to find his bride-to-be yet appalled by the damsels of the town, Charles St. Austell leaps at the chance to help his ex-commander Dalziel by investigating rumors of spies operating via smuggling gangs near Charles's Cornwall home. The first strange thing Charles discovers is Lady Penelope Selborne, neighbor and ex-lover, marching through his house after midnight. Charles uncovers a web of Selborne family secrets and a spy network others are also searching for-and trapped in the middle is Penny, the one lady he has never ceased wanting for his own. But twist follows twist and nothing is what it seemed--Charles has his hands full unravelling the truth about the spying, unmasking an assassin intent on killing all Selbornes, including Penny, while simultaneously convincing that independent lady that she and only she will do for him --and he for her.

Bastion Club member Charles St Austell, Ninth Earl of Lostwithiel, is getting increasingly impatient over finding the right bride. But then, when he realises that the right woman for him is Lady Penelope Selborne, he finds himself in an even bigger quandary.

A Lady of His Own

Impatient to find his bride-to-be yet appalled by the damsels of the ton, Charles St Austell seeks refuge in his castle - and discovers Lady Penelope Selborne walking the deserted corridors at midnight. Years ago they'd consummated their youthful passion one unforgettable afternoon. While the ardent interlude still haunts Charles, Penny vowed never again to be seduced by the dashing earl. But resisting a stronger, battle-hardened Charles proves difficult, and when a traitorous intrigue threatens them both, Penny discovers that her first love is her fated champion and protector - and will not rest until he has made her his own...

After years of dedicated service to the Crown, the seven members of the Bastion Club have banded together to support each other through the most perilous mission of all: finding a bride. Impatient to find his bride-to-be, yet appalled by the damsels of the ton, Charles St. Austell seeks refuge in his castle--and discovers Lady Penelope Selborne walking the deserted corridors at midnight. Years ago, they'd consummated their youthful passion on one unforgettable afternoon. And while the ardent interlude haunts Charles still, Penny wants nothing to do with him.

A love story.

Lord Charles St. Austell, earl of Lostwithiel, is one of the seven noble members of the Bastion Club ("a last bastion against the matchmakers of the ton") who served as spies during the Napoleonic wars and who still do a bit of investigating for the Crown when they're not braving eager ladies on the marriage mart. At his country estate, Charles encounters old friend (and old flame) Lady Penelope Selborne, who's up to her neck in intrigue. Penny's late brother may have been involved in schemes to smuggle secrets to France during the war-schemes that seem to be continuing with new sources even after his death.

The third dashing member of the Bastion Club meets his match in a dynamic tale of lost love rediscovered, family secrets, murder and mayhem.

In the third chapter of the Bastion Club series by the "New York Times" bestselling author, heroic Earl Charles St. Austell returns home to reclaim his title and seek a bride. Only Lady Penelope, his first love, will fulfill his desire, though she is determined to resist him. Original.

Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML:

August 30, 2004
Regency romance juggernaut Laurens shows signs of fatigue in the third book of her Bastion Club septet (after The Lady Chosen
and A Gentleman's Honor
). Lord Charles St. Austell, earl of Lostwithiel, is one of the seven noble members of the Bastion Club ("a last bastion against the matchmakers of the ton") who served as spies during the Napoleonic wars and who still do a bit of investigating for the Crown when they're not braving eager ladies on the marriage mart. At his country estate, Charles encounters old friend (and old flame) Lady Penelope Selborne, who's up to her neck in intrigue. Penny's late brother may have been involved in schemes to smuggle secrets to France during the war—schemes that seem to be continuing with new sources even after his death. The novel features all the steamy sensuality for which Laurens is known, but the sex scenes lack the spark typical of her best work; Penny and Charles spend far too much time staring longingly at each other, dutifully denying their own urges. The unwieldy spy plot, meanwhile, progresses with agonizing slowness as the two interrogate every suspicious newcomer in town. Dedicated fans will probably stick with Laurens through the remaining four Bastion Club titles, but she's going to have to pick up the pace if she's to keep others intrigued. Agent, Nancy Yost.

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The seven members of the Bastion Club have served loyally in the perilous service of the Crown. Now they've banded together to support one another through their most dangerous mission of all: getting married.

When Charles St. Austell returns home to claim his title as earl, and to settle quickly on a suitable wife as well, he discovers that experience has made him impatient of the young ladies who vie for his attention -- with the exception of Lady Penelope Selborne. Years ago, Charles and Penelope's youthful ardor was consummated in an unforgettable afternoon. Charles is still haunted by their interlude, but Penny refuses to have anything more to do with him.

If controlling her heart was difficult before, resisting a stronger, battle-hardened Charles is well nigh impossible, yet Penelope has vowed she won't make the same mistake twice, nor will she marry without love. But when a traitorous intrigue draws them together, then ultimately threatens them both -- will Penny discover she has a true protector in Charles, her first and only love, who now vows to make her his own?

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London's most eligile - and adventurous - bachelors have banded together to form the Bastion Club, an elite society of gentleman dedicated to determining their own futures.