Accidentally his

Rafe Wolfford courts Lady Verity as a ruse to discover whether she or anyone else in her party planning company is leaking information to the French, in the third novel of the series following What Happens in the Ballroom.

As a viscount's heir, Rafe Wolfford is obligated to take a wife someday. But she must be the right sort of wife--not too independent, and not inclined to delve into his escapades as a spy. The forthright, perceptive Lady Verity is altogether the wrong choice. But Rafe's courtship is merely a ruse to discover whether Verity or anyone else associated with Elegant Occasions is leaking crucial information to the French. That mission is all that matters--until fate, and desire, intervene. After enduring one disastrous engagement, Verity won't easily open her heart again, preferring to devote herself to Elegant Occasions. Rafe is charming, handsome, and kisses like the very devil, but she knows he's harboring secrets. Still, when her ex-fiancé tries to ruin her reputation, Rafe offers his hand. For the sake of her family and business, Verity has little choice but to accept. Yet turning this arrangement into a true marriage will require daring and trust--which neither will embrace easily, making surrender all the sweeter . . .

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Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury)	ROMANCE JEF	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Wildwood Library (Mahtomedi)	ROMANCE JEF	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

With a fresh new hook for readers of Regency romance by Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, and Madeline Hunter, New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries returns to the Dazzling Debutantes series featuring a trio of ladies who defy social constraints by starting a business as party planners to the ton. The creative force behind London's most dazzling events, these young women know plenty about fashion, food, and the perfect setting--but there is always more to learn about love...

As a viscount's heir, Rafe Wolfford is obligated to take a wife someday. But she must be the right sort of wife--not too independent, and not inclined to delve into his escapades as a spy. The forthright, perceptive Lady Verity is altogether the wrong choice. But Rafe's courtship is merely a ruse to discover whether Verity or anyone else associated with Elegant Occasions is leaking crucial information to the French. That mission is all that
matters--until fate, and desire, intervene.

After enduring one disastrous engagement, Verity won't easily open her heart again, preferring to devote herself to Elegant Occasions. Rafe is charming, handsome, and kisses like the very devil, but she knows he's harboring secrets. Still, when her ex-fiancé tries to ruin her reputation, Rafe offers his hand. For the sake of her family and business, Verity has little choice but to accept. Yet turning this arrangement into a true marriage will require daring and trust--which neither will embrace easily, making surrender all the sweeter . . .

Author Notes

Sabrina Jeffries was born in New Orleans in 1958. She received a doctorate in English literature from Tulane University with a specialty in early modern British literature. She is the author of numerous romance series including The School for Heiresses series, The Hellions of Halstead Hall series, The Swanlea Spinsters series, The Royal Brotherhood series, and The Lord Trilogy. She also writes under the pen names Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Sparks fly between Lady Verity Harper and Col. Rafe Wolfford in Jeffries's scintillating third Designing Debutantes Regency romance (after What Happens in the Ballroom). The pair meet at a charity auction that Verity organized with Elegant Occasions, the party planning business she and her sisters started after their parents' scandalous divorce made them social pariahs. Rafe attends the event in hopes of insinuating himself into Verity's inner circle and rooting out if someone in her family is a spy for the French. Intrigued, Verity invites Rafe to a seaside house party. Also in attendance is Verity's slimy former beau, Lord Minton, who takes her into a bedroom and kisses her against her will. Though Rafe has a longtime aversion to marriage, he steps in to protect Verity's reputation by claiming that they are already engaged. Though Rafe is reluctant to surrender his heart to Verity, he can't deny his attraction to her and sets out to be a good husband. But what will happen when Verity learns the truth about why they met? Verity is a formidable heroine whose refusal to be cowed by anyone is sure to endear her to readers. The hint of espionage and mystery adds allure to the romance. It's hard to put this down. Agent: Pam Ahearn, Ahearn Agency. (Feb.)

Booklist Review

Rafe Wolfford's Uncle Constantine taught him everything he knows about intelligence work. So if Constantine believes there is a treasonous traitor hidden among the Harper clan, he must be right. However, Rafe's efforts so far to surreptitiously insert himself among the Harpers have failed to produce any evidence. Then the opportunity to court Lady Verity Harper, who operates a party-planning service called Elegant Occasions with her two sisters, presents itself. But finding the proof he needs won't be easy for Rafe, especially since Verity seems to have some suspicions of her own as to exactly who Rafe might really be. The third marvelously clever entry in Jeffries' Designing Debutantes series, following A Duke for Diana (2022) and What Happens in the Ballroom (2023), is another successful marriage of captivating characters, potent sexual chemistry, and ingenious plotting enlivened with just the right dollop of dangerous intrigue.

Library Journal Review

In this final installment in the "Designing Debutantes" trilogy (following (What Happens in the Ballroom), Verity Harper finally finds her Phantom. After several undercover adventures as an English spy, Rafe Wolfford realizes that the only way to foil his most recent foe is to portray the person he least likes to be--himself. Assuming his role as heir to a viscountcy, he must infiltrate society and uncover a traitor, one who is somehow entangled with the Harper sisters and their matchmaking business, Elegant Occasions. When he goes courting, he finds there is also more to Lady Verity than meets the eye. Jeffries completes her trilogy with a heartwarming historical romance full of intrigue, wit, and independent women. The fast pace and playful banter perfectly balance the steamy love scenes and exhilarating espionage. It is manageable, though not ideal, as a stand-alone, due to the amount of backstory it references. VERDICT This novel will appeal to readers seeking an engaging Regency romance that pairs spirited socialites with swashbuckling excitement. Recommended for fans of Grace Burrowes, Sophie Irwin, and Cathy Maxwell.--Lauren Hackert

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Bound With These Titles

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Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Booklist Review

Library Journal Review

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