An unexpected Earl

Former lovers get a second chance in the midst of high-stakes intrigue in Harrington's gripping second Lords of the Armory Regency romance (after An Inconvenient Duke). Brandon Pearce, Earl of Sandhurst, has returned to England after fighting on the continent and now works with his fellow former soldiers to investigate Scepter, a terrorist organization involved in the assassination of government officials. While attending a masquerade, Brandon reunites with Amelia Howard, the woman he was forced to leave behind 12 years ago when her father caught them together. Amelia is trying to uncover who is blackmailing her brother, a member of Parliament, and asks Brandon to help with her plan. But Brandon believes the blackmailers may have links to Scepter and fears for Amelia's safety--and to protect her, he'll have to lie to her. Though they're at odds over how to handle the blackmailing, their attraction soon reignites, and Brandon urges Amelia that it's not too late for them to consider a future together. Harrington masterfully marries suspense and romance in a plot rich with strong characters and surprising turns. Readers will be riveted from the very first page. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary. (Feb.)