Two guarded hearts. One undeniable pull. Can love break through their carefully built walls?

She is bursting with feelings and prone to laughing or crying. He is regularly gripped with strong sentiments he keeps behind a mask of reserve. Very naturally, they both go to great lengths to hide these deficiencies from one another.

Serenity Nicolet, fourth daughter of the Duke of Pelham, girds herself to face her season. She sat last year out as her twin, Patience, went forward. She’d hoped an extra year would bring progress in regulating her wildly swinging emotions—a sunset, a sunrise, even a dead bee in the garden, can all set her off. It is unlikely that any gentleman will wish for a weeping bride.

Sadly, she did not get far with her efforts.

Roland Garner, Marquess of Thorpe, and eldest son of the Duke of Mariton, was haunted all his childhood by his sentimentality, and the younger brother who delighted in pointing it out. He’s older now, though, and has successfully donned a mask of reserve and disinterest, as if nary a breeze ruffles his feathers. The ton has no idea what lurks underneath that cool exterior and he plans to keep it that way.

Lord Charles, the marquess’ younger brother, is perennially dissatisfied with his position in life. He ought to have been born first, he’d make a better duke. As it is, he soothes himself by competing with Thorpe on any and all fronts. When he spots his brother’s interest in Lady Serenity, the game is on.

Two people who are always teetering on the edge of strong emotions and a brother determined to get between them could have little hope of success. One would imagine.

Tropes and Themes:

✔️ Hidden Feelings / Masked Emotions

✔️ Emotional Heroine

✔️ Stoic, Reserved Hero

✔️ Seasoned Debutante

✔️ Sibling Rivalry

✔️ Slow Burn Romance

✔️ Touch of Melodrama

✔️ Protective Older Brother

✔️ Wounded Hearts Healing

Note: This series is part of Dragonblade's Sweet Dreams line, so this is a sweet, wholesome Historical Romance where passion beyond the bedroom door is left to the reader’s imagination.

A Series of Senseless Complications

Book 1: Lady Ferocity

Book 2: Lady Graceless

Book 3: Lady Impatience

Book 4: Lady Dramatic

Book 5: Lady Liar

Book 6: Lady Suspicious

Book 7: Lady Fearful