Description

With his brothers all dead, Ezra Delaney reluctantly becomes the latest Duke of Wickham. Conscious of the fact that someone is attempting to kill him too, the reclusive duke makes it known that he has accepted an invitation to Lady Fletcher’s house party with the intention of choosing a bride, hoping to lead the assassin into a trap.

Clio Benton, who resides with her aunt, is looking forward to her first society party but doesn’t anticipate overhearing a conversation that leads her to suppose the guest of honour is a murderer.

When Mark Salford, Clio’s father’s former adjutant, arrives unannounced at the party claiming to be engaged to Clio, both she and Ezra are highly suspicious, especially as there is bad blood between Ezra and Salford.

Thrown together, Ezra must watch his own back but finds himself taking risks to protect the impulsive Miss Benton. For her part, Clio is determined to keep the duke safe and fend off Salford’s advances. Could he have come to settle the score between himself and Ezra and be using his imaginary affection for Clio as cover? Could Ezra’s mother’s lover be responsible for killing off his family? And what of his foppish cousin?

With too many suspects and no obvious motive, can Ezra and Clio ignore the growing attraction between them as they search for answers…