A penniless orphan, London's most colourful dandy and a scandalous surprise that changes everything.

Ferdinand Shilton, the dandiest, most eligible bachelor of the ton, has decided it is time to abandon his carefree youth. Determined to resist the unruliness of romance however, he prepares to embark on a highly proper betrothal, trading his flamboyant fashions for a sensible, if passionless, life.

Orphan Madeleine Rose survives on the reluctant charity of her aunt, while escaping her dreary reality by secretly penning a romantic novel. But when Madeleine discovers a mysterious foundling on Ferdinand Shilton’s doorstep, real life suddenly takes on the excitement of her fiction.

When an astonishing twist transforms her from a poor relation into a woman of consequence, and with her fate now unexpectedly thrown together with Ferdy’s, everything Madeleine has accepted as her future is upended.

Torn between duty, honour and an undeniable attraction, can Ferdy and Madeleine summon the courage to rewrite their own destinies?

Sunday Times bestselling author Jane Dunn irresistibly scandalous, witty and wonderfully romantic Regency page-turners are perfect for fans of Jane Austen, Janice Hadlow, Gill Hornby, and TV series, The Other Bennett Sister.

Readers love Jane Dunn:

‘This is the perfect escapist read for lovers of Regency romance, but it is so much more - a deeply satisfying love story, and a tale of found family that will make you happy (which is surely what we all want in these dark times) and linger in your thoughts.’

‘It’s a rare treat to read a book that one just can’t put down… Jane Dunn’s characters, fascinating and utterly believable, play with our emotions… this is a love story, and our heads and our hearts are bound up in a thrilling narrative with entirely unexpected plot twists and turns. Bravo!

‘Beautifully written, historically accurate and full of characters with deep feeling and charm. This one is so full of love it swept me away and I don't really want to come back!’

‘Jane Dunn writes wonderful Regencies that elegantly capture the essence and style of that era. One of her greatest strengths is the beautiful writing that creates such an authentic setting for characters that are thoughtful and nuanced.’

‘The writing is wonderful, the characters leap from the page and I feel I know them and love most of them. The plot is clever and unpredictable but always makes sense for the period. This is such a romantic read, full of passion and grief and coming to terms with love and life. The characters and their world live on in my imagination.’

Praise for Jane Dunn:

'Authentic, thrilling, touching, heart-wrenchingly romantic.' Bestselling author Emma Orchard

'Brilliant, sparkling and very clever.' Elizabeth Buchan

‘Outstanding, perceptive and delightfully readable.’ Sunday Times Books of the Year

‘Jane Dunn has written a splendid piece of popular history with the ready-pen of a highly skilled writer, endowed with remarkable insight.’ Roy Strong, Daily Mail

‘Jane Dunn is one of our best biographers.’ Miranda Seymour, Sunday Times