First published 1996
The Earl of Spenborough's sudden death leaves his headstrong daughter Serena reeling from grief and shock. Her devastation deepens when she discovers the terms of her father's will. Despite his eccentricities, she never expected this betrayal. Her entire inheritance now rests in the hands of a trustee, and not just any trustee. The Marquis of Rotherham, her former betrothed, controls every penny of her estate. This arrogant nobleman once sought her hand in marriage, but their engagement ended badly. Now he wields absolute power over her financial future. The will's conditions are crystal clear. Serena can only reclaim her inheritance through marriage, and only if Rotherham grants his consent to her choice of husband. She finds herself trapped between her need for independence and her dependence on a man she considers untrustworthy. The marquis may be fierce and proud, but Serena refuses to bow to his authority easily. She must navigate this impossible situation while protecting her own interests. Can she find a way to secure both her fortune and her happiness when her fate lies in the hands of someone she cannot bring herself to trust?
Genres: fiction, romance, historical-fiction, 20th-century, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity
Period: 19th-Century
379 pages · Paperback · Harpercollins