She's overlooked in daylight. He hides in shadows. And still—somehow—they find each other. Lady Helen Hargreaves has spent her life tucked into the corners—of ballrooms, of conversations, of expectations. But when she flees a crowded assembly and stumbles into a stranger's secluded refuge, the spark between them feels anything but quiet. Especially when that stranger turns out to be the Duke of Kensington.

He attends out of obligation. She speaks without pretense. And for once, everything feels real. Alexander Astor loathes the performance of courtship. But Helen, with her quick wit and unguarded grace, sees straight through the charade. Their connection is instant. True. Terrifying. Because love, it turns out, requires not just heart—but voice. And that's where fear threatens to step in.

With a misunderstanding looming and family loyalties entwined, they must find the courage to reach for what could be theirs. Luckily, Helen's bond with her younger sister reminds her: love doesn't thrive in silence. And sometimes, a quiet girl must be bold. Because the right match doesn't always arrive in perfection—it arrives in persistence, honesty, and a touch of unexpected magic.

He never wanted a bride. She never expected a duke. But this story? It just might be the beginning of something extraordinary.

📚 If you've ever hidden in the margins—and hoped someone might read between the lines and find you there... this story is yours.

This is a prequel to the USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning "Love's Second Chance Series".

Each love story in this series can be read as a stand-alone. However, most readers prefer to read them in order.