Juliette Harcourts hopes are dashed when her long-awaited suitor, Nicholas, returns not with a proposal, but with news of his engagement to another. Heartbroken and reeling from disappointment, Juliette crosses paths once more with Alexander, the Marquis of Cavendish, a man she shared a fleeting encounter with a year ago in the secrecy of an orangery.

Can Juliette summon the strength to let go of her unrequited love and embrace the possibility of a new path with Alexander?

Alexander, burdened by societal expectations and pressured to wed, finds himself drawn to Juliettes quiet strength and sincerity. Sensing Juliettes uncertainty and his own desire for a reprieve from matrimonial demands, Alexander proposes a daring plan—a sham courtship to shield Juliette from prying eyes and afford him the freedom to uncover truths of his own…

Can Alexander truly escape the expectations that have long defined him, finding a path to authenticity and lasting happiness?

As rumors of their fake courtship spread, Juliette and Alexander are trapped in a tangle of secrets and unspoken desires. Delving into the mysteries surrounding Nicholas and his mysterious fiancée, they confront their own feelings and deepest truths. In a world governed by appearances and societal norms, will they summon the courage to follow their hearts, risking everything they cherish? Can love triumph over deceit and longing?