He's the most notorious rake in England. She's a Perfect Lady. Their secrets will come tumbling out. . .

When Lady Emily is trapped while fern hunting in an old mine shaft overnight with irresistibly sexy Lord Markshall, she indulges in the sin of his delicious, melting kiss. After all, it's just one night... Until the newspaper gossip forces him to propose. Lady Emily can't marry him, but a fake engagement can save her ruined reputation and prevent her scandalous secret from being revealed.

The censure of prim Lady Emily is the ideal way for Lord Markshall to reinforce his image as a scoundrel and a rake. He didn't mean to compromise her, or to be overcome with desire for a clever woman hiding her real self. But to protect her, he'll have to choose: his covert mission or his heart.

Tropes

forced proximity fake engagement opposites attract enemies to lovers

Characters: rake hero; perfect socialite heroine;

Setting: mid-Victorian England

Feel: angsty; political; all-the-feels; passionate; hiding in plain sight;

Heat level: medium-high

Length: 71,000 words

Fully re-edited Summer 2021.

Read with confidence - a stand-alone romance with a Happily Ever After ending