Regency era romance. The book opens with the main female character as a pre-teen who is dirty, poor, a theif, has a prostitute for a mother, and a thug for an older brother. She is punished for stealing from a rich man. Fast forward to her at about 18. She has been informally adopted by the rich man's father. He has sent her to finishing school, she excelled, learned how to read and write, etc. It turns out that she really has had a crush on the son and wants to show him she can be a real lady. He returns from sea to find her all grown up. Though he thinks she's pulling a con on his dad, he can't help but be attracted to her. The son must return to sea for one more major battle. In the meantime, the father brings her to London for a season. They hope to pass her off as a "true lady" who is a distant relation, setting the stage for the son to be able to marry her. Her brother finds out what is going on and wants to blackmail her. Read it to see how everything gets resolved.

Once, Jessica Fox was a poor little street urchin running wild in the streets of Buckler's Haven. No one expected her to amount to anything-- least of all her. But because of the kindness of the aging Marquess of Belmore, Jessie has a chance at a future. Educated in the ways of society, Jessie is a lady in every sense of the word. But when her guardian's son returns from sea, Jessie is reminded of the girl she used to be. Matthew sees her at her worst and refuses to look beyond the facade to see what's in her heart. Captain Matthew Seaton knows Jessie Fox even if his father doesn't. The girl is a conniving manipulator who will do anything to get what she wants. She's the daughter of a tavern whore and Matt is convinced she is just like her mother. But the dirty girl in rags has grown into a beautiful, poised young woman full of fire. Matt is attracted to her and wouldn't mind bedding her-- but his father has other plans. He wants Matthew and Jessie to marry! It's ridiculous, of course, and Matthew has no intentions of marrying the girl. He has already picked out the perfect wife for him and it certainly isn't Jessie. But can he stand to let Jessie go?

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An irresistible beauty with a turbulent past, a passionate lord with an elegant future and a longed for love that burns for all eternity.

a turbulent past...a passionate lord... an elegant future. The longed for love when a ship pulls into harbor in London

Born in poverty, Jessica wandered the streets until fate found her a guardian in the aging Marquess. Now it's fater she tempts with her longing of his arrogant and handsome son.

One of Martin's great books

A headstrong street wise girl of merry old England sets her cap for the Marquess son. Not from a smoke free home, though it has been packed away in a box.

Once, Jessica Fox was a poor little street urchin running wild in the streets of Buckler's Haven. No one expected her to amount to anything-- least of all her. But because of the kindness of the aging Marquess of Belmore, Jessie has a chance at a future. Educated in the ways of society, Jessie is a lady in every sense of the word. But when her guardian's son returns from sea, Jessie is reminded of the girl she used to be. Matthew sees her at her worst and refuses to look beyond the facade to see what's in her heart. Captain Matthew Seaton knows Jessie Fox even if his father doesn't. The girl is a conniving manipulator who will do anything to get what she wants. She's the daughter of a tavern whore and Matt is convinced she is just like her mother. But the dirty girl in rags has grown into a beautiful, poised young woman full of fire. Matt is attracted to her and wouldn't mind bedding her-- but his father has other plans. He wants Matthew and Jessie to marry! It's ridiculous, of course, and Matthew has no intentions of marrying the girl. He has already picked out the perfect wife for him and it certainly isn't Jessie. But can he stand to let Jessie go? Once again, Kat Martin dazzles us with her flawless writing style. Innocence Undone is a familiar My Fair Lady story with a lively heroine. Papa Reggie, Matthew's father and Jessica's guardian, is the man who helps transform Jessie into a lady. He would like nothing better than to see his only son and the young woman he thinks of as his daughter get married. Ms. Martin does a good job of reinventing a classic although it would have been nice to see a little more creativity in the predictable storyline. All-in-all, Innocence Undone is an entertaining, fast-paced and pleasurable read.Kat Martin never fails to enchant readers with her vivacious heroines and dashing heroes! A charming tale! Innocence Undone is like a familiar friend-- always welcome! Kat Martin is one of the best authors around! She has an incredible gift for writing... how nice of her to share it with us! A real page-turner! Kat Martin has done it again!

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