THE DUKE INVITED HIS FORMER LOVE TO STAY—THEN HIS WIFE BECAME THE GUEST EVERYONE WANTED NEAR

When the Duke of Ravensmere invites his former love to stay at his estate, he expects the past to return exactly as he remembers it. What he does not expect is for his wife, Beatrice, to quietly become the woman everyone wants to know. For two years, Beatrice has lived beside her husband without ever demanding his affection. She has managed the estate, handled problems others overlooked, and remained graceful even when Alistair’s attention turns toward the woman he once loved. But Genevieve’s arrival changes the atmosphere at Ravensmere. At first, all eyes seem to follow the dazzling former lover. Yet before long, invitations begin arriving for Beatrice. Guests seek her company. Conversations shift toward her. And the woman Alistair barely noticed suddenly becomes the most sought-after presence in every room. For the first time, Alistair begins to wonder what he truly knows about his own wife. Then the past returns with old promises, hidden motives, and a truth that could change everything. When Beatrice finally steps beyond the role of the dutiful Duchess, Alistair faces a question he can no longer avoid: What happens when the woman you never chose becomes the woman you cannot bear to lose? A Regency romance of marriage, forgotten love, quiet strength, and the moment a Duke realizes that love cannot be demanded—it must be freely given.