He only meant to keep her for a time. Surrender proved beyond his control.
Major Clarence Pembroke has no need of a wife. As the third son of an earl, wealthy and untethered, he divides his time between Horse Guards and the pleasures afforded a man of his rank—cards, brandy, and women who know the rules.
Polly Hart has never had much of a choice. Raised on the streets of the London docks, she survives with quick hands, sharp wits, and no illusions. Until the day she robs the wrong man.
Amused rather than angry, Clarence offers to take her on as a maid for his mistress, a famed courtesan. The moment their arrangement comes to an end, Polly doesn’t hesitate. She offers herself instead. He laughs, she means it, and what began as a jest becomes his obsession. Completely undone, he cannot stay away. No matter how hard she tries, she cannot protect her heart. But once consequence finds them, their affair is no longer a game. It is a choice that could cost them everything.
In a world where women like Polly are only kept for a time, and men like Clarence do not risk ruin for passion, some barriers cannot be crossed without sacrifice. Can their love survive in a society determined to keep them apart?
Perfect for readers who love:
- Steamy historical romances
- Fierce, unforgettable heroines
- Heroes who don’t believe in love but learn to fight for it
- Banter and laugh-out-loud moments amid the angst
- Forbidden love that defies class and expectations
- Rich historical detail and realistic depictions that bring the era, and its struggles, to life
