To Honor and Desire

To Honor and Desire is the first novel by American author, Julia Templeton. When his friends learn that Dominic Santrell, Earl of Rochford and renowned rakehell, has in his care a pretty seventeen year old ward, they are highly amused. Dominic himself, less so, as he finds Arlie Whitman rather irresistible, and does not enjoy the conflict of responsibility and desire for this sweet innocent young woman. He decides the best solution is to get her married off and away from his sight as soon as possible.

Ever since Arlie first saw Lord Rochford, he has become the personification of the Black Prince of her dreams. And now that her father has died, she is under his protection. Trouble is, he seems determined to marry her off, the first chance he gets, but she's really not interested in any other man: it's Dominic to whom she is attracted.

This is not quite the usual Regency romance: this one has, plenty of explicit sex included. The characters are more than one-dimensional, and there is not too much bodice-ripping involved, but the plot is fairly predictable.