happylittlethot
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- Parts 43
In the glittering world of Regency London, Isabella "Isa" Fairmont is a young woman caught between duty and desire. The daughter of a family beset by financial ruin, Isa is determined to protect her family's reputation-no matter the cost. But when her latest misstep throws her into the scandalous spotlight, Isa finds herself in a precarious situation with the infamous Duke of Ravenshire, Nicholas Everstone.
Nicholas, a man hardened by betrayal and a past love that still haunts him, is the last person Isa would ever choose as a protector. With a cold exterior and a reputation for using people to his advantage, Nicholas makes an unexpected proposal: a fake engagement to shield Isa from the ton's gossip and save her family from further ruin. In return, he'll use her to spite his overbearing mother and undermine her suffocating control.
As they navigate the delicate balance between scandal and respectability, Isa and Nicholas are forced to confront their own assumptions and desires. Isa finds herself captivated by Nicholas's haunted past and the quiet, vulnerable man beneath the title. Nicholas, in turn, begins to see the depth of Isa's spirit-her quiet strength and resilience in the face of overwhelming pressure.
But as their carefully constructed ruse begins to blur with real feelings, they both must face the truth about love, trust, and the dangers of opening one's heart.