Matthew Wright, the rakish heir to the Duke of Vaughan, has revelled in a life of carefree indulgence, avoiding any hint of responsibility. But on his 25th birthday, his father delivers a sobering ultimatum: marry and secure the family legacy or face the harsh reality of financial ruin. Desperate to salvage his lavish lifestyle, Matthew embarks on a quest for a marriage of convenience.

Catherine “Cat” Balfour, with her unconventional family and charming menagerie of animals, had come to London in hopes of finding a husband to lift her family from their financial distress and provide them with the stability they had always lacked. Unfortunate for her that she has been unsuccessful in finding even a single suitor…that is until she crosses paths with the drunken heir to a duke who offered her exactly what she has been looking for.

The arrangement would be simple: Matthew would provide for Cat’s family, and Cat would satisfy Matthew’s need for an heir. It was a straightforward arrangement, devoid of the messy emotions that complicated a marriage.

As they escape to the tranquillity of the countryside, their carefully constructed agreement begins to crumble in the face of their undeniable attraction. Their burgeoning desires soon spiral into uncharted territory, challenging the very foundation of their pragmatic alliance. Love, they once believed, only led to heartache. Yet, as their hearts entwine and passions ignite, they find themselves on a tumultuous journey of lustful desires and deepening emotions that proved that a marriage of convenience could be anything but convenient.

Ewan, the Earl of Camden, is a master of scandal, thumbing his nose at convention to defy his arranged marriage. But when his antics threaten to shatter his family’s reputation, Ewan faces an ultimatum from his father: marry his intended immediately or be cut off. Desperate to avoid the chains of matrimony, Ewan proposes a daring solution to his soon-to-be bride.


Theodosia Colborne, a misfit in a world of conformity, has long endured her family’s scorn. Labeled as soft-headed, she seeks solace in the stars, finding refuge in the boundless sky.
Believing her impending marriage promises only misery, she is surprised when a bold proposal from her betrothed offers a glimmer of hope that she can rewrite her destiny.


Together, they make their own arrangement: marry but live separate lives, never consummating the union so that they might deny their fathers the heir they so desperately wanted. Yet, their carefully constructed plans crumble when their fathers uncover the truth, banishing them to the desolate moors of Yorkshire and only allowed to return to London with a child in their arms.


As they make their way to their new home, they find their burgeoning friendship blossoming into something more, igniting a fierce attraction that threatens to unravel their carefully laid plans.
Caught in a whirlwind of desire, Ewan and Theodosia must confront their deepest longings and the expectations of their families. Will they cling to the safety of their arrangement, or dare to risk their hearts and souls for the chance at love?

Their marriage born from scandal sets the stage for seduction…