Publisher's Synopsis
In the glittering world of Regency London, Lady Evelyn Blackwood is the epitome of grace and propriety. The eldest daughter of a wealthy duke, Evelyn is admired for her beauty, intelligence, and impeccable manners. On the surface, she has everything a woman could desire: a secure future, a place in high society, and the promise of an advantageous marriage to a man of noble standing. But beneath her poised exterior lies a secret-one that, if discovered, could ruin her reputation and her place in society forever.
Evelyn is secretly in love with the most unsuitable man imaginable: Alexander St. James, the dark and brooding son of a notorious baron. A man of scandalous reputation, Alexander is everything a lady like Evelyn should avoid. He is a soldier recently returned from the war, a man of action, not of words, with a past full of secrets and regrets. His rough demeanor and piercing gaze are a sharp contrast to the polished world Evelyn inhabits, and yet, every time she finds herself near him, her heart races in a way she can't control.
Though they have crossed paths in society's circles, their interactions have always been brief, formal, and kept in check by the strict rules of Regency decorum. But when Evelyn's family is invited to a weekend house party at a country estate, fate throws her together with Alexander once again. Forced into proximity, the tension between them grows undeniable. Evelyn is torn between her duty to her family and the overwhelming pull of desire that draws her to him-desire that could scandalize both their worlds.
As the weekend progresses, Evelyn and Alexander begin to share private moments-conversations that reveal a depth of understanding neither of them expected, and stolen glances that speak volumes. Though Evelyn knows she cannot pursue a relationship with him, her heart yearns for more. Alexander, for his part, is equally captivated by her, drawn to her kindness and intelligence, and the quiet strength that sets her apart from the other women he's known. But Alexander is a man with a past, and his self-imposed distance from Evelyn comes from more than just a sense of propriety. He is determined not to entangle her in the dangerous world he left behind-especially since he knows he cannot offer her the security and stability she deserves.
As passion simmers between them, both must grapple with the stark reality of their differences. Evelyn's world is one of high society and family expectations, while Alexander's is filled with shadows, regrets, and a past he cannot escape. But as the house party takes unexpected turns and the tension between them builds, Evelyn finds herself questioning everything she thought she wanted from life-and wondering if love, with all its risks, might be the one desire she cannot deny.
