Outrageously Yours

Description for OUTRAGEOUSLY YOURS by Allison Chase:

HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVANTS

A rare stone gifted to Queen Victoria by her secret suitor, Albert of Saxe-Coburg, has been stolen and possibly delivered into the hands of the Marquess of Harrow -- a man whispered to be slightly mad. Her Majesty asks scholarly Ivy Sutherland to assume the role of science student "Ned Ivers,” win the marquess's trust, and recover the stone before news of the theft ruins the royal courtship.

Simon de Burgh, Marquess of Harrow, has dedicated himself to science since the death of his young wife. Finding an assistant whose intellect and passion match his own proves an unexpected boon, until he discovers that "Ned" is actually a woman. Simon is incensed...then intrigued. Unable to resist his growing desire for Ivy, which she undeniably returns, Simon knows he must end her charade before it leads to scandal. Instead, Ivy convinces Simon to work with her to recover the stone... and unwittingly plunges them both into a more dangerous game. Now they're risking their lives -- and their hearts -- in a race to stop a sinister murderer before he kills again.

This is #2 in Her Majesty's Secret Servants Series.