For fans of steamy regency romance like Julia Quinn's Bridgerton and the comedic writing of Tessa Dare, author Marie Leick presents the stories of the Lane siblings – Edward, the Duke of Millington, his brother Miles, and his half-sister Franny, who reside at Audrey Manor. When they were children, Edward and Poppy promised to marry each other.

They sealed the deal with a sweet and innocent first-time, peck of a kiss. Little did either of them know that summer day along the river would be the last time they saw each other for a very, very long time.

By the time Edward Lane, the Duke of Millington, was four and twenty years of age, he had emotionally hit rock bottom. Even with his involvement with the Home Office and the Crown, Edward couldn’t spare his own brother’s life from ending during the wars with Napolean.

He couldn’t protect his best mate from being killed, and he couldn’t spare those he cared deeply for from experiencing great sorrows. The common denominator to everyone’s demise was Edward.

He was convinced he was a bad omen, and the only cure was to drink whisky and become a recluse – staying away from society. Until one day he found himself face down in the sands of Dover riddled with an infliction that was out of his control.

Poppy lost her mother at birth and her father succumbed to consumption before she made her debut to the ton. Her uncle practically sold her to a man three times her age.

Widowed within a year of the marriage, she was now the Dowager Marchioness of Farmington. Having produced no heir, she was left with nothing.

No home, little money, and still a virgin. Her dreams of marrying Edward, her first love, had vanished years ago.

He was nowhere to be found. Thankfully, the Dowager Countess of Warwick was guiding Poppy through her new world.

There might be some hope for happiness yet. Perhaps love.

Perhaps a night of passion with a handsome man willing to deflower her. Poppy was eager to begin the next chapter of her life.

Read the conclusion of the Audrey Manor Series, The Recluse Duke, and discover if Edward turns his life around, if Poppy finds happiness, and if Edward and Poppy find each other again. .