Lady Lily Langdon's youthful exuberance was dampened after a near scandalous incident with an unacceptable man. Saved by her brother, Lily stays quietly in the country with her strict and cold mother. At a country house party, Lily's passionate heart reopens as she meets her elusive first love. She realizes he sees her as his best friend's little sister and not as a woman. Using the candor that gets her into trouble, Lily attempts to seduce him.

Edward, the Earl of Whitby, arrives looking less than perfect at his friend's house party. He's haunted by the fear that he's dying from Hodgkin's disease, a cancer that killed his father at an early age. Trying to deny his symptoms, he drinks and lives excessively. Feeling time is running out, Edward returns to his best friend's home where the memories are sweetest. There Edward encounters a grown up Lily.

Having always lived selfishly, Edward instead craves honest and purpose in his life. As Lily offers herself, Edward refuses, wanting her to have someone better than a worthless rake. Lily throws caution to the wind and fights for Edward's love.

Revisiting old friends from her Heiress trilogy, Ms. MacLean creates an ideal atmosphere as she puts her characters through difficult situations. It produces a strong climax and makes readers wonder how she will resolve their relationship dilemma. Have your tissues ready for this emotional read.

Book Summary

Being raised in a strict, humorless household did nothing to dampen Lady Lily Langdon's romantic nature -- nor cool her lifelong affection for Edward Wallis, Earl of Whitby, her elder brother's oldest, dearest friend. But Edward cannot see the lovely woman she's become for the wild schoolgirl she once was. So with lessons in flirtation from her American sister-in-law, Duchess Sophia, Lily means to open Edward's eyes and win his heart.

But just when her seduction begins to take hold, tragedy strikes. Edward has lived a rakish life, believing he would never grow old -- and a terrible twist of fate threatens to prove him right. Yet adversity only strengthens Lily's resolve to find the ecstasy she knows is waiting in Edward's arms -- and to prove to the handsome, haunted earl that it is never too late to fall desperately in love.

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