Mr. James Fitzsimmons is the son of a well-to-do farmer, solidly among the ranks of the gentry but not privileged enough to move in the same circles as a duke’s daughter. Meeting Lady Cecilia seventeen years ago was pure luck, but falling in love with her was pure torment. When she refused his offer of marriage he vowed to put her out of his mind—and his heart. But when James discovers a powerful lord is threatening to take the farm and ruin the Fitzsimmons name, he knows he needs an influential ally. Can James agree to Cecilia’s terms and risk his heart once more to save his family?Lady Cecilia Maitland has everything an unmarried woman could want: money of her own, high social status, and the ability to live life on her own terms. What she doesn’t have is the only man she ever loved. She turned down James’s proposal all those years ago and didn’t see him again...until he turned up at a house party in search of a patron....

There were few people in the world the Duke of Rhuddlan could trust, least of all his scheming brother Nicholas. So when a spate of violence is perpetrated against people with a connection to the duke, Rhuddlan knows who is behind it. But how can he end this vicious campaign when Nick is backed by the King's own son?Olivia Stone wants nothing more than to live quietly in her little cottage, but with a cruel suitor determined to possess her and an income that is steadily diminishing, she's left with no choice but to appeal to her wealthy cousin—whom she's never met—for assistance. Will he give it? Or will she be forced to marry a man she fears?When Rhuddlan knocks on Olivia's door with a plan to help them both, she's skeptical but sees no other option. Working together sparks a flame between them neither could have predicted, but when Nick discovers the relationship, he becomes determined to destroy their hope for happiness. Can Rhuddlan...