title: Secrets of a Proper Lady (Last Man Standing, Book 3)
author:  Victoria Alexander 
description: Lady Cordelia Bannister, Lord Marsham's youngest daughter, is a self-assured Victorian woman who writes articles about her extensive travels for ladies' magazines. Still single at 25, even Cordelia admits that too much independence isn't a good thing, but when her father engages Cordelia to a wealthy American, Daniel Sinclair, a man she's never met, Cordelia is furious. Determined to do what is best for her family, Cordelia sets out with her cousin to learn more about Daniel. When she comes upon a man in the park claiming to be Daniel's secretary, she assumes a false name to gather information, not realizing he's actually Daniel. Cordelia quickly finds herself falling for the handsome American, and he with her. Mistaken identities securely in place, Alexander has a fine time orchestrating the sparkling battle of wits between them. The leads make a superb match, bringing to mind classic sparring partners like Katharina and Petruchio or Bogie and Bacall; readers will be too amused by them to care that the supporting characters are a bit stunted. While there is no serious tension, Alexander knows what her romance readers want-charming characters, sharp banter, missed connections and a happy ending-and delivers with gusto. <I>(Oct.)</I> <BR>Copyright &copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
zlib_text: Desires of a
  Perfect Lady
  Victoria Alexander
  
  Contents
  Cover
  Title Page
  Prologue
  Chapter 1
  Chapter 2
  Chapter 3
  Chapter 4
  Chapter 5
  Chapter 6
  Chapter 7
  Chapter 8
  Chapter 9
  Chapter 10
  Chapter 11
  Chapter 12
  Chapter 13
  Chapter 14
  Chapter 15
  Chapter 16
  
  Chapter 17
  Chapter 18
  Chapter 19
  Chapter 20
  Chapter 21
  Chapter 22
  Chapter 23
  Chapter 24
  Epilogue
  About the Author
  By Victoria Alexander
  Copyright
  About the Publisher
  
  Prologue
  London, 1867
  “We aren’t supposed to be up here,” Sterling Harrington said in his best I-
  will-be-the-Earl-of-Wyldewood-one-day voice. Even at age eleven he was
  well aware of what his future held. Not that his younger brothers paid him
  any heed whatsoever.
  “I daresay, it won’t be a problem if we don’t get caught.” Quinton
  Harrington, two years younger than Sterling, pushed past the future earl,
  candle in hand and ventured farther into the attic.
  “It’s rather too dark to see anything.” Nathanial, the youngest of the
  three hesitated. A year younger than Quinton, Nathanial