Scandalous (Banning Sisters Trilogy) 
England, 1810: When Lady Gabriella Banning receives word that her half-brother, the Earl of Wickham, has died on his tea plantation in Ceylon, she faces the reality that she and her younger sisters, Claire and Elizabeth, are suddenly penniless. The family's riches will pass to the next male heir -- a distant cousin -- and the Banning sisters are doomed unless Gabby thinks fast.
Which she does. Pretending that Marcus is still alive, Gabby arranges beautiful Claire's London season. She'll keep up the pretense just long enough for Claire to marry a fabulously wealthy nobleman. But when a handsome gentleman arrives at the door and claims to be Marcus, Gabby's plan backfires. For if she exposes this mysterious stranger's deceit, she exposes her own. Bound by secrets and lies, Gabby and the roguish adventurer strike sparks off each other -- and soon London society is abuzz over the scandalous pair of "siblings" who appear to be falling in love....
With this beautifully rendered romance, bestselling author Karen Robards begins a sweeping series about three unforgettable sisters poised to
take the ton by storm.
Reviews
The story is about two people who need each other to keep their own scandal from being found out. Mostly, it is a romance ~ a very enjoyable one that blossoms very sweetly. I hate when characters are stubborn and won't admit to themselves or each other how they feel. This wasn't the case in SCANDALOUS. I liked how our heroine wasn't a perfect woman and I liked how our hero thought she was.
My only complaint, to echo other reviewers, was the last few chapters. I felt Robards could have ended the story a lot smoother without some unnecassary scenes. Regardless, this is worth reading. :)
Gabriella is a particularly well-done heroine, with a distinct and appealing personality - very level-headed, very mature, very much in control of herself. It was really, really a pleasure to read a romance through the eyes of a woman who I respected. Marcus isn't quite as good; he remains a little bit mysterious throughout, but he's certainly a good enough Prince Charming.
My only complaint is that I'm starting to get tired of the sickroom ploy. I don't know why more than half of all the romances on the market resort to sudden illness to bring the protagonists together or create a feeling of trust between them. There must be a better way.
And, also, I agree with the reviewer who mentioned the 350 page rule as a detractor. I have a feeling that's an all-too-accurate analysis.