Enter the world of the most notorious gambling den in London, where matches are made... unusually. Welcome to the world of THE LYON'S DEN: The Black Widow of Whitehall Connected World, where the underground of Regency London thrives... and loves.

A misanthrope who only wants to be left alone…

Beckett is an earl, and shouldn’t that be enough? A loner in Parliament, Beckett does his best for the downtrodden, but even that gives him no satisfaction. When his nephew comes of age, Beckett can hand everything over and wink out of existence, as if he was never there. But Beckett’s best mate isn’t having it. One drunken night, the two friends end up at Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s gambling den, where his friend stakes his entire inheritance to win a chance at love for Beckett. With gritted teeth and a glowering countenance, Beckett complies.

Nell has many secrets, but only one of them deadly. Over a decade ago, Mrs. Dove-Lyon protected her, giving her a new identity—a new life—in London. The price? A future favor. But when the favor comes due, it upsets Nell’s careful routine, which is nearly intolerable. Then when he arrives, this Lord Beckett, seems to have all the conversational skills of a shriveled turnip.

But what if the simple widow is more than what she seems?

Should Beckett pursue her secret—which would put her at risk for the hangman’s noose, not a countess’s vows—or, if he cares for her, should he let her past remain in a fog? But how can a Peer be confronted with an injustice and not investigate? A man has gone missing. And only Nell knows the truth.

Tropes you'll enjoy:

• Grumpy meets Grumpier
• Neurodivergence rep
• Ride-or-die friendships