Review: Lord of Wicked Intentions by Lorraine Heath

Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright . . .

Lord Rafe Easton may be of noble blood, but survival taughthim to rely only on himself and to love no one. Yet when he sets eyes on Miss Evelyn Chambers, an earl's illegitimate daughter, he is determined to have her, if only as his mistress . . .

After her father's death, Evelyn Chambers never imagined she would be sold to the highest bidder, yet circumstancesgive her little choice but to accept the lord's indecent proposal. Rafe is wealthy, as well as ruthless. Yet his coldness belies deep passion and deeper secrets. If she must be his, Evelyn intends to lay bare everything the Lord of Pembrook is hiding. But dark discoveries threaten to destroy them both until unexpected love leads the last lost lord home . . .

Rafe Easton is exactly the man we've come to know in the two previous books of this series, She Tempts the Duke and Lord of Temptation.  He's a loner, not ready to accept his brothers' return and fall back in the family way.  After escaping their uncle, Rafe experienced more on the streets of London than either of his brothers; they would be shocked to know what Rafe endured to survive. He rarely lets his conscience get the better of him, until he meets Miss Evelyn Chambers.  

Evie is on the auction block, thanks to her illegitimate status, at the hands of her half-brother who would sell her to the highest bidder.  She is confused at first, thinking the gentlemen in her father's home only wish to marry her.  Rafe tells her true and ends up saving her from the meat market.  She vows she will learn all of Rafe's secrets.  She never planned to fall in love with him.  

I'm glad we are able to learn -- finally -- why Rafe keeps his distance from his brothers.  It's clear from the two previous books that both Sebastian and Tristan are eager to have Rafe in their respective lives and to include him in their family once again.  Rafe's wariness is warranted, though, but I knew Evie would break down his defenses and reunite him with his brothers and their wives. 

(A very special thank you to Avon Books, Harper Collins and Edelweiss for providing me with an ARC of Lord of Wicked Intentions.)