Julia Quinn: Splendid (2004, HarperCollins Publishers)
English language
Published May 12, 2004 by HarperCollins Publishers.
American heiress Emma Dunster has always been fun-loving and independent with no wish to settle into marriage. She plans to enjoy her Season in London in more unconventional ways than husband-hunting. But this time Emma's high jinks lead her into dangerous temptation...
Alexander Ridgely, the Duke of Ashbourne, is a notorious rake who carefully avoids the risk of love... until he plants one reckless kiss on the sensuous lips of this high-spirited innocent. . . and condemns himself to delicious torment. Little does he know that his passion has touched the very soul of the lovely enchantress... and committed them both to a lifetime of splendid ecstasy.
1.5
The hero in this book is like Anthony Bridgerton turned up to 11 with zero redeeming qualities. The heroine was pretty decent though even if she was a hilarious fiery-tempered American with red hair and ~violet~ eyes.
A fair bit more interested in her cousin Belle, though.
