The King of Threadneedle Street

Book excerpt: He owns three shipping companies, a diamond mine, and his own castle. He knows Portuguese, Hindi, Mandarin and Morse code. His assets net thirteen million. Everyone thinks Andrew Tilmore, Lord Preston, the financial prodigy dubbed "The King of Threadneedle Street," has it all, but he wants the one prize money can't buy: his childhood sweetheart. Alysia Villier can't say if it's worse having Andrew's father in control of her inheritance or Andrew in control of her heart. He's ruined her for any other man, but she simply can't give in to him. She knows he's destined for great things--marrying a courtesan's daughter would jeopardize everything he stands for. Keeping Alysia out of trouble and away from eager suitors becomes a cross-continental quest for Andrew, and he won't be stopped by his old-fashioned family or the disapproval of the ton. After all, he's a man with the power to play newspapers and investors like pawns, tumble world markets and incite riots...but can he win the biggest gamble of his life?