The Duke S Boardroom Affair

How was Victoria Houghton supposed to work for Duke Charles Frederick Mead? The gorgeous royal had never met a woman he couldn't seduce—until now. Victoria despised the duke—and his family. They had gained control of her family business in a hostile takeover, then downgraded her to Charles's personal assistant. Well, there was very little she would personally assist Charles with! She had to resist her burning attraction to him…even as he was kissing her into business-meets-pleasure submission.

The Duke’s Boardroom Affair Michelle Celmer

THE DUKE’S BOARDROOM AFFAIR Gorgeous Duke Charles Frederick Mead made Victoria Houghton his PA when he took over her family business. He knows she despises him, but Charles has never met a woman he couldn’t seduce!

Should businessmen who commit fraud go to prison? This question has been asked repeatedly since 2008. It was also raised in nineteenth-century Britain when the spread of corporate capitalism created enormous new opportunities for dishonesty. Historians have presented Victorian Britain as a haven for white-collar criminals, beneficiaries of a prejudiced criminal justice system which only dealt harshly with offences by the poor. Boardroom Scandal challenges these beliefs. Based on an unparalleled sample of legal cases - many examined here for the first time - James Taylor presents a radical new interpretation of the relationship between capitalism and the law. Initially, there were no criminal sanctions against publishing false prospectuses, concealing losses in balance sheets, and even misappropriating company money. But parliament became convinced of the need to criminalize these practices to protect the culture of stock market investment on which mid-Victorian prosperity increasingly rested. Persuading judges to play along was harder, with many invoking the principle of caveat emptor to exonerate defendants. But by the end of the century, successful prosecutions of company executives were commonplace. These trials performed multiple functions: they stabilized confidence in times of crisis; they dramatized the class blindness of the law; and they were increasingly seen as essential as faith in a self-regulating economy ebbed. The criminalization of fraud, therefore, has far-reaching implications for our understanding of nineteenth-century Britain. It also has relevance today in light of the on-going economic crisis and the issues it raises regarding business ethics and the role of the state.

"She wants a baby. He needs an heir. It seems like the perfect arrangement...until they decide to conceive the old-fashioned way. Having a baby with his best friend is the means to an end for Nick Caroselli. In his quest to receive a ten-million-dollar inheritance, he'll also be giving Theresa Phillips the one thing she really wants...a child. Once the baby's born and the money's in the bank, they can divorce, share custody and go back to being buddies. But their best-laid plans are about to take a sharp turn under the mistletoe, as things really heat up this Christmas."--P. [4] of cover.

"You can't start the New Year without a kiss." When those words lead to a delicious one-night stand, consultant Caroline Taylor's fate is sealed. Because she soon finds out her seducer is Caroselli Chocolate's marketing director—and her new job is to overhaul his division. It leaves a bad taste in her mouth—and what if she's pregnant with Robert Caroselli's baby? If necessary, Rob will do right and make his dreamy corporate nemesis his wife. He might even inherit millions if he produces a male heir. But his marriage plan will never succeed without the secret ingredient—true love.

Stop the wedding--she's pregnant! When Lucy Bates caught herself falling too hard for Chicago businessman Tony Caroselli, she ran. How could she measure up to his wealthy family's standards? But now she's pregnant and back to tell the truth...only to see Tony marrying another woman before her very eyes! Lucy always had impeccable timing--especially interrupting a wedding Tony never wanted. And if she produces a male heir, Tony stands to inherit a fortune. Plus, the real payoff is having Lucy back where she belongs--with him. But when she finds out about his inheritance, will she feel like a pawn and run again?

After her last politically minded suitor left her heartbroken and pregnant, Rowena has sworn off the Capitol Hill dating pool. But even she isn't immune to Colin Middlebury's British charms, and his skills extend beyond the political arena. As a diplomat, Colin has dealt with a lot of demands, but none like Senator Tate's warning to stay away from his beautiful daughter. Colin needs the senator's support, but resistance is futile where Rowena is concerned. What harm could there be in getting to know her a little better? International relations are about to become quite…intimate.