First published 2026
Harriet Barrington enters her fifth London season without a husband, which suits her perfectly. She spends her time writing a dictionary of bawdy slang that men have kept from women. During a party in 1816, she researches late in the library and accidentally ends up in a compromising position with Lord Alexander, the town's most notorious rake. To protect her reputation and her younger sisters, Harriet kidnaps Alexander and forces him into an elopement. They agree to a marriage in name only. Alexander can continue his affairs while Harriet focuses on her work. But Alexander discovers that spending time with his witty wife beats his old rakish life. Harriet finds herself dangerously attracted to her husband. Behind closed doors, their arrangement grows complicated. Alexander becomes the perfect teacher for the indecent words in her dictionary. Their fake marriage might teach them both about the one word Harriet hasn't defined yet.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, adult-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fake-relationship
Setting: London
Period: 1816
448 pages · Paperback · Slowburn