Two wagers, two matchmaking schemes, and the most dangerous gamble of all, love.

Lady Eugenia, a spirited spinster with a penchant for matchmaking, places a bold bet with the aloof Lord Thornton: that opposites not only attract, but marry. Her chosen test subjects? The scholarly Miss Amelia Fairchild and the rakish Sir Frederick, two people with seemingly nothing in common. If Eugenia wins, she earns a coveted balloon ride with Thornton. If she loses, her beloved 'Persephone' painting is forfeit.

But Amelia has a wager of her own to navigate. Still recovering from heartbreak and determined to protect her fragile inheritance, she must prevent Frederick from marrying anyone like herself. And certainly not herself.

When both parties arrive at Pendleton Castle, a house party known more for ghost stories than romance, the stakes rise with every secret uncovered.

Tropes you’ll love:

✔ Enemies to lovers

✔ Forced proximity (gothic house party)

✔ Bluestocking + reformed rake

✔ Secret wagers and rival matchmaking

✔ Grumpy/sunshine dynamic

✔ Hidden diaries and family mystery

✔ Ghost stories and gothic undertones

What begins as a lighthearted gamble becomes a tangled game of emotions, identity, and secrets. And as the heart proves more unpredictable than any wager, love may be the riskiest bet of all.

A clever, charming historical romance with gothic flair, slow-burn heat, and matchmaking mayhem, perfect for fans of Julia Quinn, Evie Dunmore, and Kate Bateman.