{"product_id":"9780786546954","title":"The Paid Companion","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Once again, the incomparable Quick has whipped up a delectable Regency romance\" (\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e) about an ice-cold business agreement that turns into something far more heated.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e  The Earl of St. Merryn needs a woman. His intentions are purely practical-he simply wants someone sensible and suitably lovely to pose as his betrothed for a few weeks among polite society. He has his own agenda to pursue, and a false fiancée will keep the husband-hunters at bay while he goes about his business. The simplest solution is to hire a paid companion. \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e  Finding the right candidate proves more of a challenge than he expected. But when he encounters Miss Elenora Lodge, the fire in her golden eyes sways him to make a generous offer.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e  Her sorry financial circumstances-and dreams of a life of independence-convince her to accept. But St. Merryn appears to be hiding a secret or two, and things seem oddly amiss in his gloomy London home. Elenora soon discovers that this lark will be a far more dangerous adventure than she'd been led to believe. And the Earl of St. Merryn will find that the meek and mild companion he'd initially envisioned has become a partner in his quest to catch a killer-and an outspoken belle of the ball who stirs a bothersome passion in his practical heart.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47117691224304,"sku":"9780786546954","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780786546954_p0.jpg?v=1763663377","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780786546954","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}