title: A Breath of Scandal: The Reckless Brides
author:  Elizabeth Essex 
description: *Starred Review* Isnt it bad enough that Antigone Preston is named for a heroine in a Greek tragedy? Did her life have to resemble one as well? Immediately after her fathers untimely death, Antigone discovers her mother is trying to marry her off to the very wealthy and ancient Lord Aldridge. Antigone cant understand why the ever-so-refined and aristocratic Aldridge would want to marry a notorious hoyden such as herself, but she agrees to go along with her mothers matchmaking scheme long enough for her sister, Cassandra, to find a suitable husband of her own. Unfortunately, at the ball celebrating her engagement, Antigone punches out a gentleman she is dancing with when he refuses to heed her warnings and keep his hands to himself. The resulting scandal nearly derails her engagement to Lord Aldridge, and Antigone is socially censored by everyone, with the exception of Commander William Jellicoe, who thinks she is the first truly interesting woman he has met. In the second installment in her Reckless Brides series, Essex tempers her graceful writing with tart wit, while the swoonworthy chemistry she creates between her refreshingly outspoken heroine and wonderfully honorable hero is perfection. --John Charles
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  Three Times a Bride
  
  Catherine Anderson  
  
  
  Loretta Chase  
  
  
  Samantha James
  
  ![](images/00003.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Contents
  
  Samantha James
  
  [Scandal’s Bride
  
  
  
  
  
  [In Pursuit of a Scandalous Lady
  
  
  
  
  
  [About the Authors
  
  
  
  
  
  [Other Romances
  
  
  
  
  
  [Copyright
  
  
  
  
  
  [About the Publisher
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Scandal’s Bride
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Samantha James
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One
  
  
  London, 1820
  
  
  Had she known what fate awaited her, she’d never have kissed him.
  
  But Lady Victoria Carlton, only daughter of the marquess of Norcastle, did not
  act out of a mere frivolity of nature. Oh, no. In all truth, she was desperate
  to seek an end to her predicament.
  
  She was convinced her only hope lay in scandal.
  
  Unfortunately, there was precious little time. Papa had informed her this very
  morn that she must choose a husband by midnight to night.
  
  Or else he would.
  
  It was not an idle threat—of this, Victoria was very certain. Much to Papa’s
  vexation, she had passed through several Seasons, turning 