The moment that changes everything ...
Henrietta Gaydon is making her debut in London society for the Season, but her popularity and apparent ease disguises the fact that she is out of her depth and that she dreads the objective of finding a husband. She longs for home, her father and Lord Henfield, who she has always treated as an older brother.
Charles Henfield stopped thinking of Henrietta like a sister when she was sixteen. And he is determined to try his luck with her in London. Mistakes and misunderstandings, the complication of a feud between mamas, and Henrietta's no longer fraternal feelings for Henfield, all conspire to make this a Season to remember.
Captain William Hawksmoor of the Royal Navy never expected to inherit Kingscastle and is none too pleased when he does so. Especially when he learns that he must marry within a year or be forever dealing with trustees.
As the new Marquis of Athelney, the captain takes command of Kingscastle and discovers much to be done to set it in order. He must also contend with his aunt, Lady Willoughby Hawksmoor, who is determined that her daughter will be his wife. When she discovers he is far more interested in Eleanor Burgess, her underpaid and much put-upon companion, Lady Willoughby shows she will stop at nothing to keep them apart.
The Honourable Catherine Elford – Kitty – is presented with an awful choice. Either she is cast off, penniless, by her step-brother, or she marries the handsome Earl of Ledbury, who would be perfect were he not a serial womaniser. Ledbury has only ever courted other men's wives, and does not want a wife of his own. However, Kitty's generous dowry, which will keep him from selling his beloved racehorses, proves too tempting. Kitty believes her only chance of survival is to make her head rule her heart. For his part, Ledbury has spotted a spark in Kitty, and sets out to woo her. But as Kitty begins to succumb to his seduction, Ledbury's past starts to catch up with them.
