title: Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage (Secret Brides)
author:  Valerie Bowman 
description: Scandal is James Bancrofts business. With two of the tons most talked-about publications to his credit, he is eagerly searching for the next scandalto publish when he encounters Kate Townsende, the Duchess of Markingham. Imprisoned in the Tower of London for the murder of her husband, Kate is not optimistic about her future. Kate didnt love her husband, George, but she certainly didnt kill him. Unfortunately, all of the circumstantial evidence indicates otherwise. However, Kate can be released from the tower if a peer agrees to supervise her house arrest, and James is more than willing to act as Kates jailer in exchange for her version of her husbands murder. Bowman neatly wraps up her Regency-set Secrets trilogy (Secrets of a Wedding Night, 2012, and Secrets of a Runaway Bride, 2013) with a thrillingly sensual tale that deftly mingles mystery and romance. --John Charles
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00003.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A pact...a bride...a secret never to be told!
  
  When Eva MacKay learns her father has bartered her off to a warrior from a
  neighboring clan, she has no choice but to run away, taking her dark secrets
  with her. Freedom is now within her grasp!
  
  Dutiful highlander Rob Mackintosh tracks down his runaway bride, only to be
  stunned by the fireworks that erupt between them. For behind Eva’s timid smile
  lies a headstrong beauty, and Rob knows, no matter what, this marriage is
  going to be full of surprises!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Rob laid the things aside and shook his head, watching her sleep there.
  
  What kind of woman would run away when given the news of an impending
  marriage? Especially a marriage that would hold benefits for both families
  involved.
  
  She shifted on the furs and mumbled some words in her sleep. Though he could
  blame some of her restlessness on her illness and fever, she never seemed to
  be at peace when she slept. She called out names, mostl