Of Valor & Vice

Near destitute after the sudden death of her wastrel husband, Lady Pipworth must find a way to support herself and her young nieces until her brother returns home to assume his role as head of the family. Thanks to her three brothers that raised her, Adalia’s one outstanding skill in life is gambling, and with a dower house now at her disposal, plans to fill the coffers—scandal begetting or not—begin to take shape.

The Duke of Dellon is interested in nothing more than fulfilling the needs of running his ducal estate. As for a wife and an heir—he will get to it, eventually—as long as it fits neatly into his orderly life. But when a long-ago vow rears, landing upon his shoulders, he obligingly sets out to do what is required of him—stop Lady Pipworth from the foolery of operating a gaming house. And, if he should need to, marry the woman. A vow invoked from the grave leads to a secret that could destroy everything. Her gaming house a success, the last thing Adalia wants is an arrogant duke poking into her affairs. But when a sudden death threatens the very thing she holds dearest, can she possibly trust the one man that can save her and her nieces?