January 20, 2020
An impoverished duke becomes enamored of one of his sister’s friends in the charming fourth installment to Ashford’s Regency-set Way to a Lord’s Heart series (after How to Cross a Marquess). Shortly before Ada Grandison’s school friend Delia Rathbone died in an accident, she told Ada that she had uncovered a secret that “would change everything” for the struggling Rathbone family. Ada believes that a note she found in Delia’s room after her death holds clues to the secret and is determined to visit Alberdene, the Rathbone family home, to uncover the secret. Together with three school friends and her Aunt Julia, Ada travels to Alberdene, where she meets Delia’s brother, Peter Rathbone, Duke of Compton. Peter and Ada work together to uncover Delia’s secret, searching for clues throughout Alberdene, which is in disrepair as a consequence of Peter’s reduced circumstances. Though the couple are instantly drawn to one another, Peter believes that their relationship cannot evolve past a few stolen kisses because he has nothing to offer her. Ashford draws in readers with complex characters, subtle romance, and all the sparkling wit and flirtatious banter of a Georgette Heyer novel. Series fans will be delighted. Agent: Jennifer Weltz, Jean V. Naggar Literary.