Fallen (Pendle)

He's the most notorious rake in England. She's a Perfect Lady. Neither are what they seem. When Lady Emily is trapped while fern hunting in an old mine shaft overnight with irresistibly sexy Lord Markshall, she indulges in the sin of his delicious, melting kiss. After all, it's just one night... Until the newspaper gossip forces him to propose. Lady Emily can't marry him, but a fake engagement can save her ruined reputation and prevent her scandalous secret from being revealed. The censure of prim Lady Emily is the ideal way for Lord Markshall to reinforce his image as a scoundrel and a rake. He didn't mean to compromise her, or to be overcome with desire for a clever woman hiding her real self. But to protect her, he'll have to choose: his covert mission or his heart.

A single mother hiding from the world. The man who will teach her to love again. Lydia Taylor's roof is leaking, her chickens have run amuck, and the rent is due. When her daughter falls ill, she faces it as she does all challenges-alone. The last person she needs at her door is handsome schoolteacher, Alfred Lowe. His disapproving gaze seems to penetrate her façade of a respectable widow and capable mother. To achieve his dream of his own school, Alfred Lowe needs to marry a wealthy lady. But from the moment impoverished Lydia Taylor fell at his feet, he's been inconveniently attracted to her. What begins as a duty to aid his ill pupil's mother soon becomes much more complicated. Maybe even... love? But amongst kisses, tears, and savory pies, the past creeps into the present, casting a long shadow. If they risk love, they both could lose everything they've ever wanted.

He's the most notorious rake in England. She's a Perfect Lady. Their secrets will come tumbling out. . . When Lady Emily is trapped while fern hunting in an old mine shaft overnight with irresistibly sexy Lord Markshall, she indulges in the sin of his delicious, melting kiss. After all, it's just one night... Until the newspaper gossip forces him to propose. Lady Emily can't marry him, but a fake engagement can save her ruined reputation and prevent her scandalous secret from being revealed. The censure of prim Lady Emily is the ideal way for Lord Markshall to reinforce his image as a scoundrel and a rake. He didn't mean to compromise her, or to be overcome with desire for a clever woman hiding her real self. But to protect her, he'll have to choose: his covert mission or his heart. Tropes forced proximity fake engagement opposites attract enemies to lovers Characters: rake hero; perfect socialite heroine; Setting: mid-Victorian England Feel: angsty; political; all-the-feels; passionate; hiding in plain sight; Heat level: medium-high Length: 71,000 words Fully re-edited Summer 2021. Read with confidence - a stand-alone romance with a Happily Ever After ending