Using the huge fortune her father left her, the granddaughter of a viscount buys a costume emporium out from under the nose of an American financier, starting a high society feud, in the first novel of a new romance series.
"Miss Cleopatra Lewis visits a costume emporium specially to order unflattering dresses guaranteed to put off any prospective suitors--and ends up purchasing the establishment. Powerful and charismatic American Jacob Astor Addison is furious when a she-devil masquerading as an English lady steals Quimby's Costume Emporium from under his nose. Jake strikes a devil's bargain, offering to design her "wallflower wardrobe" and giving Cleo the chance to design his. Cleo can't resist the fun of clothing the rough-hewn American in feathers and flowers. And somehow in the middle of their lively competition, Jake becomes her closest friend. It isn't until Cleo becomes the toast of all society that Jake realizes she's stolen his fiercely guarded heart. But unlike the noblemen at her feet, he doesn't belong in her refined and cultures world. Caught between the demands of honor and desire, Jake would give up everything to be with the woman he loves--if she'll have him!"--Dust jacket flap.
From New York Times bestseller Eloisa James, a new Regency-set novel in which a heiress with the goal of being a wallflower engages a rugged American in a scorchingly sensual, witty wager that tests whether clothing does indeed make the man—or the wallflower! A perfect companion story to Eloisa's My American Duchess.Miss Cleopatra Lewis is about to be launched in society by her aristocratic grandfather. But since she has no intention of marrying, she visits a costume emporium specifically to order unflattering dresses guaranteed to put off any prospective suitors.Powerful and charismatic Jacob Astor Addison is in London, acquiring businesses to add to his theatrical holdings in America—as well as buying an emerald for a young lady back in Boston. He’s furious when a she-devil masquerading as an English lady steals Quimby’s Costume Emporium from under his nose.Jake strikes a devil’s bargain, offering to design her “wallflower wardrobe” and giving Cleo the chance to design his. Cleo can’t resist the fun of clothing the rough-hewn American in feathers and flowers. And somehow in the middle of their lively competition, Jake becomes her closest friend.It isn’t until Cleo becomes the toast of all society that Jake realizes she’s stolen his fiercely guarded heart. But unlike the noblemen at her feet, he doesn’t belong in her refined and cultured world.Caught between the demands of honor and desire, Jake would give up everything to be with the woman he loves—if she’ll have him!