Book 1: The Reluctant Lords
Led to believe her high-spirited nature chased away her first love, Lady Maxine Pearson bent to family demand, cultivating a facade of docile, boring perfection. But after four seasons without a single offer of marriage, she realizes perfection is decidedly overrated. Desperate to escape the cage of her own making, Maxine seizes the opportunity to travel to her cousin’s wedding scandalously alone.
Adam Hawkins always dreamed of marrying Lady Maxine, despite their difference in station. Refusing to accept that a knight’s son would never be good enough for an earl’s daughter, he left England–and his love–to prove his worth. Now, six years later, he has returned with the wealth, influence, and status beyond his expectations.
When Maxine’s act of rebellion leaves her stranded, she has no choice but to accept help from the man who broke her heart, giving Adam the perfect opportunity to win it back. As passion flares, discovery by her family has Maxine falling back into her role as obedient daughter, leaving Adam to show her their second chance at love is worth fighting for.