The Whispered War — Nicholas S. Casale

"The Salian Nobility; they'll embrace you with the right hand, then stab you with the left." When Leon, the heir to the Renart Duchy, realized he was falling in love with his stepmother he knew the secret was one that could tear the whole family down. Long has he detested the games of lies, blackmail, secrets, and assassinations that the lords of his homeland play, but now he must learn to play the game as well as his father does if he wishes for his family to survive. There are enemies everywhere, and every masquerade ball is secretly a battle fought in shadows and lip-service.