PAPA, WHY IS THAT LADY CRYING?"—THE DUKE'S SON ASKED. HIS COLD FATHER LOOKED UP AND FROZE
The grey April afternoon finds Eleanor Ashworth weeping on a bench in Hyde Park, hidden by shrubbery, mourning on the anniversary of her father's death. Three years of whispers and pitying glances have followed her since Clarence Pemberton publicly declared her unmarriageable without a fortune, and now she has nothing left but her mother's gold locket and the quiet dignity that poverty has not yet stripped away. She does not hear the approaching footsteps until a child's voice pierces her grief: "Papa, why is that lady crying? She looks like Mama did in her portrait, but sadder." Eleanor's mortified gaze meets eyes of such deep blue they appear almost black, set in a face of severe, aristocratic beauty. The Duke of Ashworth—the cold widower whose tragic story is whispered in every drawing room—stands frozen on the path with his young son's hand in his, and something flickers in his expression that might be recognition of a kindred wound. Humiliated, Eleanor flees before he can speak. But fate, it seems, has other plans for two wounded souls who have both learned that hope is the cruelest wound of all. A tender Regency romance of grief, healing, and love found in the most unexpected places. Like and comment if you believe in second chances. This story is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and scenarios presented are purely imaginative and created for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
SHE FAINTED INTO A STRANGER'S ARMS AT THE BALL—UNAWARE HE WAS THE DUKE WHO'D RUINED HER FAMILY
"YOU'RE SHIVERING"—THE DUKE REMOVED HIS COAT. SHE DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS HER SECRET BENEFACTOR
She cannot be my bride the Duke murmured,staring at the stunning lady stepping down from the carriag
SHE WORKED AS A SERVANT IN THE DUKE'S CASTLE... UNTIL THE DUKE REALISED SHE WAS HIS MISSING DAUGHTER
HER EX BEGGED HER TO RETURN—THE DUKE STEPPED FORWARD: "SHE'S CARRYING MY HEIR." SHE WASN'T
"SHE'S NOBODY," THE DUCHESS SNEERED. THE DUKE REMOVED HIS RING—AND SLID IT ON HER FINGER
The Young Maiden Fainted in the Crowded Ballroom… And Woke Up in the Handsome Duke’s Private Chamber
🎩 THE DUKE BOUGHT HER TO WARM HIS BED… NOT KNOWING SHE WAS THE PHYSICIAN WHO SAVED HIS LIFE
“‘Very Intelligent and Dull,’ Her Mother Mocked—Until the Duke Desired Her at First Sight.”
She Was Carrying His Child When He Read the Engagement Notice—She Was Gone Before He Finished It
🌹💔 THE DUKE MARRIED HER BY DUTY AND IGNORED HER…UNTIL LONDON CALLED HER "THE PERFECT DUCHESS"
For Seven Months, She Played The Duke's Wife By Agreement—Until Feelings Broke Every Term
🎩"YOU MEAN NOTHING TO ME" THE DUKE SAID. BUT WHEN SHE DANCED WITH ANOTHER, HE WENT MAD
They Pushed Her Out of the Kitchen for Another Woman — But the Duke Never Stopped Watching Her
💔 THE EARL BANISHED HER TO THE COUNTRYSIDE AFTER THEIR WEDDING…THEN RODE THROUGH STORMS TO WIN HER
THE DUKE DESPISED HIS ARRANGED BRIDE FOR A YEAR — UNTIL HE OVERHEARD HER PRAYING FOR HIM
🌹 She Was Sent to Find a Husband… But the Duke Who Chose Her Played a Far More Dangerous Game
HIS GRANDMOTHER PICKED HIS BRIDE—THE DUKE REFUSED. THEN HE SAW WHO SHE'D CHOSEN
The Duke Wanted A Perfect Duchess… But Married The Wrong Woman
