When lovely young Orelia Stanyon returned home from the George and Dragon Inn, she found she could not forget the dark, sardonic stranger who had rescued her from two drunken fops. He was a man whose sudden and passionate kiss had stirred Orelia's deepest desires.

She was alone in the world. The only family she had was her cousin Caroline-a beautiful woman who lived a wild and impetuous existence. Hardly the proper guardian for Orelia.

But then, one day, Caroline announced her engagement. She was to wed the Marquis of Ryde. Handsome and irresistible, he was one of the wealthiest men in Regency England. Perhaps now the family would be secure:

But Orelia was in for a surprise when she met the Marquis. For she knew him as the dark, mysterious man who had secretly won her heart months before at the George and Dragon Inn . . . ( )

Oh brother! This was the beginning of Barbara Cartland romances for me. I was perhaps 14 years old. Thirty years ago she was very popular but her books wouldn't compete with authors now.I give it the highest rating because at the time I loved it, but I know if I read it now I'd cringe! ( )

In the books, our heroine, Orelia, is under the lazy chaperonage of her cousin, Lady Caroline. See what happens when she finds out that the man she admires is engaged to her cousin!

A Marquis was a British Peer. In rank, he came below a Duke, which is the highest peerage below royalty! The eldest son of a duke would be born a marquis. Usually the title came with a place name: Marquis of Bath, for example. After the marquis, the next ranks are earl, viscount, and baron. ( )