After her abusive husband’s death, the Duchess of Gooding has been relegated to Kent’s Row, a place where widows are put out to pasture. Valaria isn’t upset by this. She’s running from her past and happy to be independent and away from prying eyes. And she knows she won’t be lonely after she meets and befriends two other young dowager duchesses who are also residing in the Row. Oh yes, life could be perfect…as long as no one ever finds out her secret.

Callum Osgood, Duke of Blackvale, was best mates with Valaria’s late husband and he mourns his friend’s untimely death. He also finds himself concerned about Valaria, especially when he hears she has been all but kicked out of her home and onto Kent’s Row. Convincing himself it isn’t about the attraction he’s always felt for the prickly duchess, he vows to do what he can to help her.

Of all the people in the world, Valaria cannot let Callum near her. But his honor and decency keep edging around her walls. As does the unexpected desire he makes her feel. Resistance turns to surrender, an affair to something deeper and soon all that she is trying to keep secret will spill out. Will what she’s done come between them and tear apart all they are starting to build? Or could he love her enough to fight for their future and protect her from her past?