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September 2nd 1880,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
18 year old Briar Brown comes from a family no less than godly wealthy. She lives to please her mother and father, carrying on the Brown legacy with pride as she completes her final year of secondary education. She was typically obedient and followed the rules given to her as not to disrespect tradition, but there was just one expectation she couldn't seem to reach.
Her parents were constantly trying to set her up with eligible suitors, successful men who were looking for a beautiful trophy wife. Every one that approached Briar, she turned them away after a mere conversation. She couldn't find herself wanting to be infatuated with anyone. Was there something wrong with her? Perhaps, is she loveless?
19 year old Florence Miller came from a more middle class leaning family of longing, desperate socialites. Her mother recently managed to wed a wealthier man, insuring her tuition to send her to Chatham University; the private women's college.
On the carriage trail to the University, she commands they stop and wistfully stares at a blooming meadow with a large house in the distance. She hops out to pick some flowers not knowing Briar stood not far away, waiting to scold her for her trespassing.
Despite the heated conversation between the two it was the most passionate she had felt towards a person, whether it was platonic or not. She was not usually one to show her emotions or give anyone the time
Just when she's decided to leave the Town, Lady Cressida Belverst is forced to marry Lord Calan Haverston, the man who coincidentally knows a way out. Agreeing to marry for all the wrong reasons, can Cressida and Calan find out where their hearts truly belong?
***
It is impossible to leave the Town, but one woman is determined to escape with the help of her betrothed.
Lady Cressida Belverst has always been judged as a walking scandal. Oh, how she tries (on some rare occasions) to be proper! When her parents arrange for her to marry a rich lord, Cressida has had enough. She has to leave the Town because she will not be forced to live with a man she doesn't love. But what happens if the very man she's betrothed to is the only one who can help her get out?
Calan Haverston, the Lord of Easton, takes the risk and helps his betrothed by using his knowledge of the Town's secrets because he is as willing as she to stay free of marriage for reasons completely different. He has dark secrets he cannot share with her, and his life is not one he can likewise open to anyone. But what happens when she leaves after awakening desires he thought he has under control? And what happens when he finds himself longing for her?
Cressida goes to a completely different place, one she has only heard in stories and read in books, with hopes of finding what her heart has always longed for. But love, mystery and secrets will chase her and it will only be a matter of time before she realizes what her heart truly desires.
*This story is a standalone title in the Haverston Family series.