A masked brother… from attraction to passionate romance, he yearns for the day his own name leaves her lips; yet fears the truth will drive her away.
A devious scheme…
One of the enemies of the Duke of Elenford is a greedy earl who gambled away his family’s most precious heirloom. Now, Arabella Marley’s father is determined she will gain it back for him, no matter the cost. He presents her to the Duke at a masquerade ball, where she is shocked to find him both handsome and agreeable. She must guard herself against his charms to find her family inheritance and keep her heart intact.
Untrusting hearts collide….
As they spend more time with one another, Andrew and Arabella must decide whether to fight their growing desire for one another or continue to fall more deeply for the other. Their budding love is threatened, however, when the truth is revealed.
Will they find love ever after or will their hidden secrets keep them apart?
No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after ending!
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I found myself unable to put this compelling read down. I had it read in four hours. Ms Ellie took me on a wonderful, exciting adventure. This was a compelling and marvellous twist that had me rooting for refunded characters. So let me introduce you to them.
Elias Stephens, Duke of Elenford, minor character but needs to be known. He is selfish, self-centered, and as always arrogant. He is being threatened by an unknown peer, so his brother convinces him to get out of town while it get straightened out.
Andrew Stephens, the brother, takes over investigating who is behind the threats. While also smoothing the ruffled feathers of other “Ton” members that Elias has wronged.
Stanley Marley, Baron Lancastershire, father to Arabella, is mean, abusive, and also arrogant. He likes to gamble and get drunk. When he loses he takes it out on his daughter and staff.
Arabella Marley is kind, gentle, and loves animals. She is being forced to retrieve a necklace her father lost in a card game. Not wanting to do this she reluctantly agrees to avoid a marriage to another abusive man.
Arabella never had a season because of her mother’s death and her father’s lackluster caring. So with being an unknown to society she boldly walks up to THE DUKE and greats him to start the charade to retrieve the necklace. Liking her boldness, Andrew, who is pretending for one night, just wants to enjoy her company. He finds himself intrigued with her. Since he has no knowledge of what has happened, Andrew, wants to get to know the bright, why woman. Arabella finds that the Duke is very much a contrast to what society rumors claim.
As they get to know one another, each wants to tell the truth but are afraid. Now knowing the other needs to learn the truth both find they have to keep the charade going or lose the other. OR do they? To give you more would spoil the fascinating story. I will just say, HAPPY READING
I really enjoyed this book, and all of the stories that Ellie writes! So talented!!
Enjoyed reading this book. Was a nice and clean romance
A short and entertaining story. Lord Andrew is trying to right his brother’s wrongs, unaware one may or may not be the acceptance of an heirloom wagered by Lady Arabella’s father. In such a short story deep character development cannot be expected, but Andrew and Arabella are painted as decent individuals saddles with less pleasant relations.
A CAPTIVATING READ!!!
A well written, easy to follow tale with twists and turns that will keep you captivated from the first page until the very last word. A full range of emotions from betrayal, loss, greed, lies and deceit will keep your attention and frozen to the edge of your seat. Ellie did an amazing job bringing the characters and detailed scenes to life. I would recommend this read to anyone who loves a fantastic regency romance.
All is not as it seems in this short and very sweet historical love story involving Lord Andrew and Arabella and the Marling Necklace.
Very nicely written and a quick and interesting read which will fill in that odd free hour or so and delight you too.