A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean

Author: Sarah MacLean
Publisher: Avon
Date of publication: August 2016

Lonesome Lily Turned Scandalous Siren

Miss Lillian Hargrove has lived much of her life alone in a gilded cage, longing for love and companionship. When an artist offers her pretty promises and begs her to pose for a scandalous portrait, Lily doesn't hesitate...until the lying libertine leaves her in disgrace. With the painting now public, Lily has no choice but to turn to the one man who might save her from ruin.

Highland Devil turned Halfhearted Duke

The Duke of Warnick loathes all things English, none more so than the aristocracy. It does not matter that the imposing Scotsman has inherited one of the most venerable dukedoms in Britain—he wants nothing to do with it, especially when he discovers that the unwanted title comes with a troublesome ward, one who is far too old and far too beautiful to be his problem.

Tartan Comes to Town

Warnick arrives in London with a single goal: get the chit married and see her become someone else's problem, then return to a normal, quiet life in Scotland. It's the perfect plan, until Lily declares she'll only marry for love...and the Scot finds that there is one thing in England he likes far too much... 

A Scot in the Dark is the second book in the Scandal and Scoundrel series.  Alec was in  the first book, The Rogue Not Taken.  He is a reluctant Duke who wants nothing to do with England.  When he learns that he not only has inherited a ward, she is involved in a scandal.  He heads to London to try to bail her out.  

Alec and Lillian both have some major baggage.  But, I liked both of them almost instantly.  I knew I was going to love Alec.when he shared his feelings about Romeo and Juliet.  They mirror my own as I feel they weren't remotely romantic when they killed themselves over what amounts to nothing more than infatuation.  He has lived his life thinking he wasn't worth anything and that he is nothing more than a "scottish brute". 

 Everyone that Lillian has ever loved has left her, making her a prime target for a slick artist who woos her into posing for a nude painting.  I kind of felt badly for her. She was definitely naive but I loved watching her grow after the scandal blew up.  The banter between Alec and Lily was so much fun.  I loved the scene in the park where Alec acts as a chaperone.  I was laughing throughout that entire scene.  The Talbot sisters from the first book show up in this one to rally around Lillian.  I can't wait to read their stories!