First published 1993
Sinjun Sherbrooke stands at a London ball, her famous blue eyes scanning the crowd. At nineteen, she possesses sharp wit and humor that make the tedious social season bearable. Then she spots Colin Kinross, the Scottish Earl of Ashburnham, across the dance floor. When she overhears him lamenting his desperate need for a wealthy wife to save his finances, Sinjun sees her chance. She boldly approaches and reveals herself as exactly the rich heiress he requires. Despite every obstacle thrown in their path, Sinjun orchestrates their elopement to Scotland. She arrives at his ancient castle expecting romance but discovers a crumbling fortress filled with secrets she never anticipated. The drafty halls harbor more than just cold air and old stones. Pearlin' Jane, a resident ghost, joins forces with another supernatural presence known as the Virgin Bride. As Sinjun navigates her new life as a countess, she must contend with both earthly challenges and otherworldly interference while discovering whether a marriage born of financial necessity can transform into something deeper.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, historical-romance, 19th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: London, Scotland
Period: 19th-century
429 pages · Hardcover · Wheeler Pub