In Silk Series by Gayle Eden

Jaiden Corvone is incognito at a Cyprian Ball as "Madame Corvone," a sophisticated woman vying to become mistress to some wealthy merchant or lord. Though she was wed to Monsieur Corvone, Jaiden is neither sophisticated, nor prepared, for the juggling act living that sort of life will require. The oldest of three sisters, Jaiden wed the wrong man and found herself in a nightmare for several years, keeping it all hidden from her family... moreJaiden Corvone is incognito at a Cyprian Ball as "Madame Corvone," a sophisticated woman vying to become mistress to some wealthy merchant or lord. Though she was wed to Monsieur Corvone, Jaiden is neither sophisticated, nor prepared, for the juggling act living that sort of life will require. The oldest of three sisters, Jaiden wed the wrong man and found herself in a nightmare for several years, keeping it all hidden from her family. Now with her parents dead and herself widowed, finally surfacing from the nightmare, she's come to her sisters’ rescue to provide them a chance at a debut—and a choice in life—a luxury she was never afforded. Expecting her looks and unmistress-like build to attract only green lads or elder gents, Jaiden finds herself the mistress of John (Raven) Myric, Marquis of Weldon. Far from the selfish and barely tolerable lovers other mistresses have told her to expect, Raven is a passionate and exciting man whose every touch makes Jaiden struggle to keep that line between business and her emotions firmly drawn. Raven has his demons, his memories of war and his present problems with a suicidal brother, and a sister who has changed drastically, due to their father’s insistence on portraying the perfect image. The gulf between himself and his father is as wide as the contrast in their personalities and every encounter ends in icy contempt on both sides. War changed Raven from a privileged aristocrat into a man who tolerated no pretenses. Some of the change in his character is due to meeting up with the "Pirate" Desalle before the war, and seeing a world beyond the ballrooms of London. Having taken in his brother, now Lady Bronte has sought refuge under his roof, in hopes of escaping a marriage to a man her father has chosen, a sadistic rapist. The battle lines between Raven and his father are clearly drawn, and neither could know that years of betrayal, lies and fear lay behind the duke's perfect persona. Secrets that could well destroy the Myrics and divide the present generation forever. less

Book #2 in the "In Silk" Series Lady Bronte Myric declared that her brother's friend, Captain Desalle, was nothing but a scoundrel and pirate. But when her brothers, and her father, the Duke of Moorland, need someone to "shadow" Bronte because the lecherous Lord Carrington may be plotting her kidnapping and rape, it is none other than Desalle they look to for the task. Now forced in close contact with Desalle, how will she hide her private, wicked thoughts about the exotic Captain... moreBook #2 in the "In Silk" Series Lady Bronte Myric declared that her brother's friend, Captain Desalle, was nothing but a scoundrel and pirate. But when her brothers, and her father, the Duke of Moorland, need someone to "shadow" Bronte because the lecherous Lord Carrington may be plotting her kidnapping and rape, it is none other than Desalle they look to for the task. Now forced in close contact with Desalle, how will she hide her private, wicked thoughts about the exotic Captain. A man of deep secrets and dangerous reputation, Desalle had already admitted to himself that he wanted Bronte. He also intended to make sure Carrington did not get to her, but also knew his secrets could get him hung, and cost him even his truest friends. The attraction between the two soon becomes indisputable. Yet when the truth of his past is accidentally uncovered, will she choose her fears, and her rightful place in society, or scandalous passion with the man who awakened her, body and soul? less

The last of the powerful Duke of Moorland’s offspring has grown up. However, this daughter of the shadows, the child with his former mistress Juliana, has been the most difficult relationship for the duke. His guilt at hiding her, his care of reputation and his expectations for her, have done more damage than he realized... moreThe last of the powerful Duke of Moorland’s offspring has grown up. However, this daughter of the shadows, the child with his former mistress Juliana, has been the most difficult relationship for the duke. His guilt at hiding her, his care of reputation and his expectations for her, have done more damage than he realized. Juliana, now at last wed to Moorland, has no less the guilt and more the shock, when the beforehand poised and self-contained Adriana flees from the family to Paris, after an emotional refusal to have a second season. The brothers, Raven and Xavier, the brother-in-law ex-pirate Desalle, and all the ladies, are concerned, for no one knew Adriana as anything but a composed young woman—raised with expectations of a Duke’s daughter once the affair was public knowledge. However, the women discover a journal from her first season, a shocking seduction by the worst sort of cad—thus the whole family joins together to try and rectify their relationship with the youngest Myric, to convince her they love her no matter what—and to bring her back into the bosom of her family. As for Adriana, she is devastated by her youthful indiscretion, the betrayal of the cad, and she fears the lofty duke, her mother; the entire family will cast her off. Accepting she will always be the bastard daughter of the duke, her love of art gains her an envied chance to work under a reclusive artist in Paris. Sworn to never again be a fool, she does not realize that her family, Desalle mostly, is going to put into her life a mysterious and dangerous man, a man of shadows and secrets that has death awaiting him at every corner. Adriana, no longer a foolish girl, determined to find her own way, discovers her own life, but is drawn to the forbidden man who awakens desires and hungers in her, showing her the difference in the “great mistake” of her season, and what Rev’el de Argues makes her feel. In every way, Rev’el too knows his life is uncertain, and even were it not, his background, his mixed bloodlines, everything makes anything with her impossible. Nevertheless, numb for so many years, a life of tragedy, danger, and not allowing himself to feel, to touch or be touched, suddenly rushes upon him. As Adriana grows into her mature skin, the web gets more tangled between herself and her shadowy lover, the family starts to suspect the truth. Their art and poses are sensual, telling, and too raw to hide the passion those settings ignited between them. In the end, can love survive in the Shadows, or will Rev’el’s past steal even his secret passion for one woman? Everything forbidden, everything masked—will the very things that heal Adriana’s relationship with the duke, her family, destroy the one thing the love of her life and herself can steal in forbidden hours? Will Moorland use his power and influence against even the family's wishes, to tear the lovers apart, save the family reputation? Can everyone learn from the past mistakes, that love will not be denied? Or will the lovers themselves, risk everything, to take what life they can in the shadows and forever sacrifice the relationships of those of Adriana's blood? less