Mary Daheim

Improbable Eden Mary Daheim

The base-born daughter of an earl, nineteen-year-old Eden is torn from her foster family in Kent, whisked off to London, and groomed to follow in her courtesan mother's footsteps. Her lessons in court etiquette, politics, and charm are overseen by Maximilian, a tall and striking Flemish prince fallen on hard times. Ever since the death of his wife, Max has grappled with his cousin, Count Rudolf-also his brother-in-law-who covets Max's land. Rudolf is just one of the enemies seeking to brand Max and Eden's father, the Earl of Marlborough, as Jacobites bent on killing William of Orange and restoring James to the throne. Eden is Max and the earl's last hope. If she can convince King William to embrace her as his mistress, she can use her influence to clear Max's name and free her father from the Tower of London. Eden has inherited her mother's beauty, but not her guile. Though she must not waver from her goal to seduce the king, she cannot deny her growing love for the Flemish prince. Max in turn is far from indifferent to the claret-curled, ebony-eyed siren who has pledged herself to him body and soul.