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The Paid Companion
Amanda Quick
The Earl of St. Merryn needs a woman. His intentions are
purely practical-he simply wants someone sensible and
suitably lovely to pose as his betrothed for a few weeks
among polite society. He has his own agenda to pursue, and
a
false fiancée will keep the husband-hunters at bay while he
goes about his business. The simplest solution is to hire a
paid companion.
Finding the right candidate proves more of a challenge than
he expected. But when he encounters Miss Elenora Lodge, the
fire in her golden eyes sways him to make a generous
offer.
Her sorry financial circumstances-and dreams of a life of
independence-convince her to accept. But St. Merryn appears
to be hiding a secret or two, and things seem oddly amiss
in
his gloomy London home. Elenora soon discovers that this
lark will be a far more dangerous adventure than she'd been
led to believe. And the Earl of St. Merryn will find that
the meek and mild companion he'd initially envisioned has
become a partner in his quest to catch a killer-and an
outspoken belle of the ball who stirs a bothersome passion
in his practical heart.
Putnam Books, May 2004
464 pages ISBN: 0399151745 Hardcover $24.95
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