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By pure accident, she meets Billy Blade, a gang leader, on the London streets at night. Billy is captivated by Jacinda's charm, wit, and beauty, and after a course of events, decides to pursue her.. as the Earl of Rackford, his birthright.

This, I'd have to say, was one of Gaelen Foley's best works.. if not the VERY best. From page 66, I was in love with Billy.. sensitive, gorgeous, charming.. with a slight shy streak that is so arresting. This is more Billy's story than Jacinda's, in fact.. because even though you will love Jacinda as the heroine, you will see Billy mature from a street thief to an Earl. You will feel his embarassment, his longings..

An extremely touching read, and one that I'd highly recommend. Even if you haven't read the previous books in the series (I mentioned them above), you will not feel lost to the storyline. Another book that I highly recommend in this series is "Lord of Fire", which is also extraordinarily written, about the sensual Lucien Knight, and prudish Alice.

Enjoy!

After fleeing his abusive father at 13, Billy eventually winds up a gang leader in London's slums. He may be a criminal, but he's got principles, taking responsibility for his people and also covertly assisting the government on occasion - that's how he knows Jacinda's spy brother Lucien. And Lucien is the only person who knows his true identity - second son of the Marquess of Truro and St Austell! That Lucien sure can keep secrets!

Lady Jacinda is the spoiled baby sister of the Knight clan. Her protective older brothers are practically smothering her and when they arrange a marriage to Ian, Lord Griffith, it's more than she can bear. Though she adores Ian, he's more like another brother to her and so she decides to flee to Paris. At a coaching inn she's pickpocketed and pursues the thief into an alley - and into the middle of a turf battle between two of London's toughest gangs. She is discovered by Billy and taken back to his headquarters refusing to tell him who she is or why she's out alone in the streets.

Over the next few hours they talk, with Jacinda sharing more than she intends about her hopes, plans and her infamous mother, while both notice a budding attraction. Jacinda is amazed to find that he actually listens to her - something no one else does. I fell in love with Billy when he says to himself in astonishment "she likes me"! How cute. But when Billy discovers who she is, he returns her to her family much to her displeasure.

Events force Billy to reunite with his father and reclaim his title, Earl of Rackford, and so Billy and Jacinda meet again. He pursues her, she tries to elude him for she has her own plans. But a relationship develops and it's very sweet and fun to watch. He evolves from street tough to gentleman while she matures after seeing Lizzie's heartbreak at the hands of her rogue brother Alec as well as learning more about Billy and his difficult past. Their mutual affection and respect make you root for this great couple!

As always, I look forward to the next installment. It's Lizzie's so we'll see if Alec can redeem himself! And once again we are teased with mention of black sheep Jack whose story I am just dying for! I love this family - reading these books is like spending time with old friends. Keep 'em coming Gaelen!

Ms. Foley's artful narration is a vicarious thrill from start to finish as she dissects and defines the central protagonist Billy Blade as an intelligent cunning gang-leader in the rookery fighting for survival in the seedy underbelly of London 1816. We cringe at his memories of being a mud-larking beggar, his narrow escapes from malevolent arch-rival O'Dell and his encounter of the ferocious The Fire Hawks gang. The pivotal moment of his adventure turns out to be the one he is captured to Newgate in a burglary sabotaged by O'Dell. To escape hanging and to pardon the death of his captured friends, he has to seek help from his vitrolic father - marquess of Truro and agrees to reclaiming the title of Earl of Rackford.

The spirited bohemian Jacinda Knight is his love-interest but one who refuses to marry because of the desire of independence. She is inspired by her mother Georgiana who dictates her own choices in lovers but her resolve is crumbled as she learns of passion with Rackford - and that this is a man who cares about her and is willing to change despite his bitterness from his abused past.

With a tortured hero and a feisty heroine sparking off scorching chemistry and smoldering passion, Lady of Desire is gauranteed a top-notch romance with energy and adventure. Ms. Foley is relentless in bringing tension and dimensions to her tale as she interweaves loyalty and fraternity through the comrades of Billy's gang, forgiveness for a scorned father and unexpected poignancy in a tender romance that will have you rejoice with tears. There is no compromise in the materials as Ms. Foley's thorough research sculpts the acrid alleys of London's underground and the sweeping glittering balls of Regency-era and is attentive to the double standards between opposite sex during the times. Ms. Foley's complexed tale and superb narration paints a vibrant portrait of love, struggle and forbidden desires with strokes of light humour and a bold scope, making this one of the most compelling romance in 2003.