Romantic Comedy / Romantic Suspense

Date Published: October 6, 2022

I’m Camille— the only pauper in Mount Evor.

But that’s not why I’m on the no-fly list.

Six years ago, the principality’s royal palace went up in flames.

Several people died.

My sister Jeannette, who worked there, disappeared.

The inquiry blamed her for the arson.

Since then, I’ve been an outcast—compromised and harassed—but determined to clear my sister’s name.

Four weeks before Christmas, the hunky Louis de Valois, Duke of Arrago, raps on my window.

What if he has news about Jeannette’s case?

I invite him in.

He glances at his watch and declines my invitation.

And then he asks me to marry him.

Perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis, Lauren Landish, Nicole Snow and Louise Bay, this full-length novel stands on its own within an ongoing saga.

Excerpt

I set up the stepladder by the side of my trailer, climb on it, and begin to remove the snow from the roof. Half an hour later, I’ve scooped and brushed off all I that could reach. After returning the equipment to the shed, I reenter the trailer and dart to the kettle to make some tea and thaw my frigid hands.

Someone raps on my window. I’ve done my research, so I know the visitor at once. It’s him, His Smashing Handsomeness Marquess Louis-Philibert de Valois, heir to the dukedom of Arrago, and second cousin to Crown Prince Theodor.

With stiff cold hands, I open the door a crack without removing the chain lock.

The marquess strides toward me. “Hello. Are you Camille Mussey?”

“Who’s asking?”

“My name is Louis de Valois. I believe my grandfather’s men told you I’d be paying a visit.”

Instead of confirming, I ask tartly, “How do I know you are who you say you are?”

“Er… You’re right. Of course.” He pulls an ID from the inner pocket of his coat.

I take the laminated card from his hand, read the name, look at the picture, then at his ridiculously well-proportioned face. Having seen dozens of photos of him online, I knew what to expect. I thought I was prepared. But I find myself gasping for air despite the chill.

No man should be allowed to look this hot, especially not a moneyed aristocrat. It’s like cheating. And I despise cheaters.

My breath is stuck in my throat just from looking at the man in front of me.

He’s tall and well-built and has intelligent hazel eyes, high cheekbones, a straight nose, chiseled lips, and a firm jawline. And all of that is framed by thick wavy hair the color of honey. He’s simply too much. If it weren’t for the crazy amount of sex appeal he gives off, I would’ve concluded that he isn’t human, but an android built to represent the perfect human male.

Mad at myself for the way I’m reacting to this toff, I return his ID. “What do you want?”

“Would you like the long version or the short version?”

“The short one, please.”

He glances at his expensive watch and mutters, “Just as well.” Then he meets my gaze. “I want to marry you.”

“Huh?”

The next second, I burst into laughter, double up, and go on and on, releasing the nervous energy that’s been building for days.

Once my heart rate is back to normal, I wipe my eyes, and inject all the snark I’m capable of into my words, “When I feel like being pranked, my lord, all I need to do is snap my fingers.”

He begins to protest, but I hold up my palm to shut him up.

“You see, half of the principality has been lining up for years for the honor. You don’t get special treatment. Take a number and go to the end of the line.”

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About the Author

Alix Nichols is a caffeine addict, a fan of Mr. Darcy and an award-winning author on Book Riot's list of 100 must-read international romances.

At the age of six, she released her first book. It featured highly creative spelling on a dozen pages stitched together and bound in velvet paper. Decades later, she still writes. Her spelling has improved (somewhat), and her books have topped bestseller charts around the world.

She lives in France with her family and their almost-human dog.

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