Identical twins, sensible Delia and mischievous Cassandra Effington were the most delicious debutantes to ever waltz across a London ballroom. They looked alike in every way . . . but no one ever expected Delia to be the one to get into trouble . . . How did this young lady's reputation become so questionable? Once she was lovely, respectable Miss Delia Effington, but an impulsive decision—and subsequent disaster—forces Delia to retire from society. Until one night, desperate for diversion, she attends a ball as her twin sister and finds herself dancing in the strong arms of the dashing Viscount St. Stephens. Delia believes she has never met this man who arouses her passions, yet he seems somehow familiar. For Delia doesn't know that St. Stephens, an agent for the Crown, has been in her home, protecting her under the disguise of her butler. What will happen when this lady discovers the truth about the man she has come to love? Identical twins, sensible Delia and mischievous Cassandra Effington were the most delicious debutantes to ever waltz across a London ballroom. They looked alike in every way . . . but no one ever expected Delia to be the one to get into trouble . . . How did this young lady's reputation become so questionable? Once she was lovely, respectable Miss Delia Effington, but an impulsive decision—and subsequent disaster—forces Delia to retire from society. Until one night, desperate for diversion, she attends a ball as her twin sister and finds herself dancing in the strong arms of the dashing Viscount St. Stephens. Delia believes she has never met this man who arouses her passions, yet he seems somehow familiar. For Delia doesn't know that St. Stephens, an agent for the Crown, has been in her home, protecting her under the disguise of her butler. What will happen when this lady discovers the truth about the man she has come to love? #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award-winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was more fun than real life. She is the author of thirty-one novels, and her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Victoria lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her long-suffering husband and two dogs, in a house under endless renovation and never-ending chaos. Excerpt Chapter One June 1820 Dearest Cassie, I have at last returned to London to take up residencein my husband's house. I am all too awarethat Mother has yet to forgive me for my transgressionsand continues to forbid you to so much asspeak to me, but if it is at all possible could youpay me a call this afternoon? I have missed you terribly,dear sister. I arrived three days ago and thereis no one here to talk to save the servants, and theyare an odd lot indeed ... "Given the circumstances, that is, all things considered,and the time that has passed ... " Lady Wilmont,Philadelphia - Delia to her dearest friends, and, up untila scant six months ago, Miss Effington - picked at anodd thread on the arm of the far-too-masculine sofa inthe parlor of her late husband's town house and forced a casual note to her voice. "Do you think Mother will everspeak to me again?" "I certainly wouldn't wager on it at the moment. She's alreadygone on far longer than I would have expected." CassandraEffington, Delia's younger sister by no more thantwo minutes, drew her brows together thoughtfully. "Youknow how Mother is. She has taken all of this as an affrontto the stars, a defiance of destiny, that sort of thing." "Yes, she would, wouldn't she?" Delia heaved a resignedsigh. "Mother will come around eventually." Cassie leanedcloser and patted her twin's hand. "In truth, I think nowthat you have returned from exile - " "It wasn't exile, Cassie, it was the Lake District." Cassie scoffed. "The Lake District in winter soundsvery much like exile to me." "Not at all. Besides, each of our brothers visited andFather sent letters." "Even so, for the most part you were ensconced with arelative so distant we have scarcely heard of her." "Great-Aunt Cecily. She was quite nice - if ratherprivate - which was well and good, because what Ineeded was time and distance," Delia said firmly. "Awayfrom London and gossip and scandal." "Perhaps we should send Mother to the Lake District.It's taking her rather a long time to get over her - " "Anger? Outrage? Embarrassment?" "Yes, of course, all of that." Cassie waved away hersister's words as if they were of no importance. "I believeMother could manage anger, outrage, embarrassment,humiliation, disgrace, dishonor - " "I don't think I actually used the words humiliation,disgrace or dishonor ," Delia murmured. "Use them or not, they are present nonetheless,"Cassie said firmly. "However, my point is that Mother could cope with all that and more. She is, even if merelyby marriage, an Effington. And Effingtons are well usedto dealing with the petty problems brought on by the occasionalminor scandal." "You think this was minor, then?" Delia sa