Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Scandalous Alchemy

"Fontainebleau in 1825 is a glittering international court, rich with intrigue, passion and simmering violence. Lieutenant Colonel Kit Helford must navigate these treacherous waters to deliver the beautiful, self-destructive Princess Royal to her prospective husband. Kit's childhood friend, Clemency Arwenack, is tasked with safeguarding her royal mistress's reputation as the princess awaits a marriage she is dreading. But both have secrets they will hide at all costs. Kit is on the run -- from a man shotand left for dead back in London and a lifetime of scandal that includes a liaison with the princess herself. He will do anything to salvage his family's reputation. Clemency, meanwhile, conducts a perilous trade in lies and blackmail as she seeks to destroy the princess, not protect her. With the princess's life under threat, Kit and Clemency are pitted against each other, even as a dangerous attraction grows between them. The past hunts them both, remorselessly, relentlessly, and neither can escape it for long"-- 'It's pretty hard to pull off a good Georgette Heyer homage, but Moran makes it look easy' i NewsA thrilling and sexy romp through 19th-century France, England and Russia in Katy Moran's latest Bridgerton-style Regency romance. In the palace of Fontainebleau, intrigue and scandal stalk the salons. Princess Sophia of England is on her way there to meet a prospective husband. In Russia, she was known as Nadezhda and rode fearlessly across the steppes with Captain Kitto Helford at her side. Now he's escorting her to Fontainebleau, but no one must suspect the love they once shared.Cornish Clemency Arwenak is in France as the poor relation of an uncle she has come to fear. It's a relief to be seconded to the princess's entourage. But soon long-ago childhood friends, Clemency and Kit Helford, must face a frightening truth. Someone is trying to kill the princess and Nadezhda herself is playing a game that will endanger them all. A web of intrigue, gossip, lust and long-held hatreds entangles young Queen Sophia of England and her secret lover, Captain Kitto Helford, as the great powers struggle to broker a peace in 1825, following the war between France, Britain and Russia. Thrilling Regency romance, set against an Outlander-like background of passion and war, this will delight lovers of Poldark and Bridgerton.1825 Cornwall and France Clemency Arwenack never dreamed she would be appointed lady-in-waiting to the notorious, headstrong Princess Royal, heir apparent to the English throne. In fact it's the last thing she wants. But Clemency dares not refuse, while her scheming godmother is threatening to expose her deepest secret.Worse still, Clemency's childhood friend, the Hon Lieutenant Colonel Kit Helford is now captain of the royal guard, charged with escorting the Princess Royal to France. If anyone can see through Clemency's web of deceit, it's Kit – just as wild and handsome as he's always been. And just as much trouble.The third novel in the Bridgerton-style Regency world of Katy Moran's wild and dissolute Lamorna family. Welcome to Kit and Clemency's story...'Passionate, smart and action-packed' Sarah Hughes, Guardian 'Lush, dark, utterly real and achingly romantic' Ruth Ware 'An absolute joy of a book. From the wild beauty of Cornwall to the breathless danger of a teetering peace treaty at Fontainebleau, Katy Moran whisks us on a desperately exhilarating dance through scandal, intrigue and treachery. Like all the best balls, I didn't want it to end' Holly Hepburn