A Promise of Tomorrow

As a third son, Englishman Ashby fitz Waryn has neither a title nor grand estate, but he does have a lifelong friend in Lord Garrett Montayne, the earl he serves. Garrett sends Ashby to France to learn more about winemaking, an investment the Montaynes have been involved with for decades. Ashby journeys to Monteville, an estate in Bordeaux, where he becomes knowledgeable about grapes—and unexpectedly falls in love with Marielle de la Tresse, a married comtesse in a loveless marriage.

Marielle Matesse was blamed for her twin sister’s death, spending ten years in a convent as punishment. Returned to her parents, she hopes to start a new life when an older man, a wealthy comte, takes her as his bride. The marriage is loveless and childless and her life dull—until a handsome Englishman comes calling. When Comte de la Tresse dies under mysterious circumstances, his brother, Marc, insinuates he’ll start rumors that Marielle poisoned her husband unless she immediately weds Marc. Marielle flees France under Ashby’s protection, hoping to start a new life in England with the handsome knight. But Marc de la Tresse refuses to give up so easily, imprisoning Marielle’s family in Monteville’s dungeons. They will be left to die unless Marielle returns to France and marries her husband’s killer. Can Ashby outwit Marc and claim the love he’s hungered for, or will Marielle sacrifice her freedom to save the family that abandoned her?