Prologue

ANNA

" H e's a rake, my lord. He doesn't deserve to wear the crown," James seethed, adjusting his cufflinks.

"We have no other options… unless you plan to be wed in the next month?" Reginald sighed, "What would you have me do? He's your brother and the rightful heir."

"Find me a wife."

SMACK!

My book hits my forehead and nose, narrowly missing my eye. I check the time, and, shit , how is it already two in the morning? I have work in four hours, but I need to know if James is going to take a fake wife…

I already know. It's the fourteenth time I've read this one. But seeing these two fall in love is like no other story I've read. Fake dating is never fake . I've yet to read a book where they part ways to live their best lives separately and not madly in love. While this particular novel isn't exactly Jane Austen-level literature, no one can deny that the pining isn't equally delicious.

Adjusting my position in bed, my book light detaches, and I scramble to recreate the perfect reading experience. Unfortunately, my cat, Dinah, has other plans. The little cunt swats my light, pulling it from my book a second time—there's no chance I'll be getting to the ball at this rate.

Reluctantly, I give up; turning off my light and placing the book on my bedside table. I set my oil diffuser to pump out lavender like it's a damn factory chimney as Dinah curls up next to me, purring.

Four hours of sleep is plenty, but… maybe one more chapter? No, James and Eliza will need to wait until tomorrow.