Almost a Princess (The Men from Special Branch)

US: Bantam, 2003. Paperback. Good. From nationally bestselling author Elizabeth Thornton comes a sensuous new tale of true love and fiery romance--under the most intriguing of circumsta nces. Case Devere, the steely-eyed earl of Castleton, has agreed to help Special Branch track down a notorious killer--one who just happens to be his archen emy. But he finds more than he bargained for when his search leads him to J ane Mayberry, a beautiful bluestocking passionately devoted to the cause of women's rights--and to protecting her privacy. As irresistible as she is u ncooperative, the spirited Jane arouses Case's interest--as well as his wor st suspicions--when she quietly disappears. Determined to find the one woma n who may hold the key to his investigation--and to his heart--Case goes af ter her. Though their sparring belies an attraction too powerful to deny, Jane knows there can never be anything between herself and the strong-willed earl. For she bears a dark and terrifying secret that must remain hidden--even at the cost of a broken heart. As Case fights for the love of the one woman who has ever mattered to him, they are swept into a deadly game by a killer who won't stop until he has punished them both.