The Midnight Marquess — Collette Cameron

Class Difference Hero Rescues Heroine Forced Proximity Friends to Lovers Hidden Identity Cinderellaesque Rags to RichesObstacles never seem as insurmountableat midnight as they do in the cold light of day...Aurelie Lemieux once believed in fairy tale endings and true love. But when her half-brother is unjustly executed for treason, she's thrust into a world of betrayal and danger. Forced to flee France with his children, her dreams of love give way to harsh reality. Aurelie resigns herself to a marriage of convenience as her only chance for survival. However, her heart yearns for the one man she should avoid: her captivating and mysterious neighbor, Adolphus Westbrook.Intent on evading the suffocating grasp of High Society and the relentless pursuit of conniving debutantes, Adolphus, the Marquess of Edenhaven, seeks solace in a small coastal village. Yet, the fates conspire against him when he crosses paths with the alluring Aurelie under the cloak of darkness. In their stolen midnight encounters, he glimpses the possibility of a love he never anticipated, a woman who could be everything he desires in a bride. Until he suspects Aurelie's no different than any other husband-hunting woman, and disenchanted, he distances himself.When a raging fire threatens their lives, Adolphus and Aurelie are forced into a reluctant proximity that exposes the chasm between their social classes. Misunderstandings and secrets abound, testing the depth of their budding feelings. Will they find the courage to overcome their differences and embrace their undeniable passion? Can the midnight encounters ignite a love strong enough to conquer the obstacles standing in their way?