“One of the finest romance authors of all time.” —Julia Quinn “[Loretta Chase has] a rare talent for creating crackling sexual tension and characters so fresh and compelling that readers won’t be able to forget them.” —Susan Elizabeth Phillips One of the most beloved authors in the field of historical romance, the remarkable Loretta Chase proves that Silk is For Seduction . The acclaimed New York Times bestselling author brings readers the first in a very sexy, emotionally rich new series in which sisters from a rather scandalous aristocratic family—the purveyors of the most fashionable shop in Regency London—discover passion and love as sumptuous as the exquisite gowns they create. Stephanie Laurens fans will adore this sensuous love story, as ambitious dressmaker Marcelline attempts to win the patronage of a future duchess…and ends up inadvertently enchanting the Duke! “Carefully wrought personnae, beautifully handled sensuality, and lusciously seductive descriptions of the gowns--and everything else--make this another sparkling winner for the much-beloved, peerless Chase.” - Library Journal (starred review) “A swoon-worthy romance that is the literary equal of couture designed by Chanel or Dior. Richly imbued with sizzling sexual chemistry, expertly accessorized with a cast of delightfully quirky secondary characters, and deftly embroidered with irresistible wit, Silk Is for Seduction is guaranteed to be a hit on any reader’s runway.” - Booklist (starred review) “A rare talent for creating crackling sexual tension and characters so fresh and compelling that readers won’t be able to forget them.....A classic of the genre!”!” - Susan Elizabeth Phillips From the Design Book of Marcelline Noirot: The allure of the perfect gown should be twofold: ladies would die to wear it . . . and gentlemen would kill to remove it! Brilliant and ambitious dressmaker Marcelline Noirotis London's rising star. And who better to benefitfrom her talent than the worst-dressed lady in the ton,the Duke of Clevedon's intended bride? Winning thefuture duchess's patronage means prestige and fortunefor Marcelline and her sisters. To get to the lady,though, Marcelline must win over Clevedon, whosestandards are as high as his morals are . . . not. The prize seems well worth the risk—but this timeMarcelline's met her match. Clevedon candesign a seduction as irresistible as her dresses;and what begins as a flicker of desire between twoof the most passionately stubborn charmersin London soon ignites into a delicious inferno . . .and a blazing scandal. And now both their futures hang by anexquisite thread of silk . . . Loretta Chase has worked in academe, retail, and the visual arts, as well as on the streets—as a meter maid—and in video, as a scriptwriter. She might have developed an excitingly checkered career had her spouse not nagged her into writing fiction. Her bestselling historical romances, set in the Regency and Romantic eras of the early 19 th century, have won numerous awards, including three from the Romance Writers of America. They have been published in a great many different languages, which she wishes she could read. Silk is for Seduction By Loretta Chase Avon Copyright © 2011 Loretta Chase All right reserved. ISBN: 9780061632686 Chapter One THE LADIES? DRESS-MAKER. Under this head we shall include not only the business of a Mantua Maker, but also of a Milliner . . . In the Milliner, taste and fancy are required; with a quickness in discerning, imitating, and improving upon various fashions, which are perpetually changing among the higher circles. The Book of English Trades, and Library of the Useful Arts, 1818 London March 1835 Marcelline, Sophia, and Leonie Noirot, sisters and proprietresses of Maison Noirot, Fleet Street, West Chancery Lane, were all present when Lady Renfrew, wife of Sir Joseph Renfrew, dropped her bombshell. Dark-haired Marcelline was shaping a papillon bow meant to entice her ladyship into purchasing Marcelline?s latest creation. Fair-haired Sophia was restoring to order one of the drawers ransacked earlier for one of their more demanding customers. Leonie, the redhead, was adjusting the hem of the lady?s intimate friend, Mrs. Sharp. Though it was merely a piece of gossip dropped casually into the conversation, Mrs. Sharp shrieked?quite as though a bomb had gone off?and stumbled and stepped on Leonie?s hand. Leonie did not swear aloud, but Marcelline saw her lips form a word she doubted their patrons were accustomed to hearing. Oblivious to any bodily injury done to insignificant dressmakers, Mrs. Sharp said, ?The Duke of Clevedon is returning?? ?Yes,? said Lady Renfrew, looking smug. ?To London?? ?Yes,? said Lady Renfrew. ?I have it on the very best authority.? ?What happened? Did Lord Longmore threaten to shoot him?? Any dressmaker aspiring to clothe ladies of the upper orders stayed au courant with the latter