Sabrina Reed is Nathan Alden's wife, but not by his choice... EXCERPT****** "I found her like this, sir," the guard announced. Sabrina stirred at the voice, blinking groggily and rubbing her eyes to chase away the blur clouding her vision. A towering figure stepped into focus. "What are you doing out here, Sabrina?" Nathan's voice was sharp, cutting through the fog of sleep. His jaw was tight, words pressed between clenched teeth. She blinked again, brushing hair from her face as she sat up. "What are you doing out here?" he repeated-louder this time, more demanding. He stood before her in a jet-black suit and white button-up shirt, sleeves rolled just enough to expose forearms clenched across his chest. His eyebrows were drawn tight, his eyes narrowed. "I came back late last night and... the guard was gone, so... I just fell asleep," she said softly, eyes lowering under the weight of his glare. He dismissed the guard with a silent nod, then stepped closer. "Where were you last night?" he asked, voice taut with suspicion. She yawned, trying to blink herself fully awake. "I've been volunteering at the animal shelter." "Get up," he ordered, tone clipped and harsh. "You expect me to believe that? Don't animal shelters close at a decent time?" She remained seated, her legs too stiff to move. "Yes, but-" "Get up!" he barked.

Miss Victoria Sutton is considered a failure after several seasons without a match. Blending into the background suits her well as long as she can read. A less than clandestine adventure into the Duke's library creates a friendship she could never have imagined. Andres, Duke of Northumberland, wasn't expecting to find a stowaway in his library during the opening ball of the season but she intrigued him none the less. The more time he spends with her, the more he looks forward to seeing her. Perhaps it's time to take a wife after all. Does a wallflower with no means deserve a happily ever after? **There is one post-marital love scene in the late chapters of this book that isn't overly graphic in nature.