Overview
A string to her bow-or a shot to her heart? The masked duelist... For Lady Portia Hawke, a Society marriage would be worse than a prison. A talented markswoman, she offers her services, anonymously, as a duelist. For a fee, she can fell opponents with little more than a scratch, preserving both their dignity and their lives. She has no desire to fall in love until she meets a colonel fresh from Waterloo, whose tormented expression touches her soul. The soldier haunted by war... Colonel Stephen Reid returned from Waterloo uninjured-at least on the surface. In his mind, he relives the battle and blames himself for surviving when others did not. Fearful of being declared insane, he conceals his suffering. But one woman sees beyond the façade of the war hero to the tortured soul within. Rather than condemnation, Lady Portia Hawke gives him comfort, understanding-and her heart. Tormented by the memory of gunshots, Stephen abhors the notion of shooting for sport, and he makes clear his hatred of the mysterious masked duelist who's the talk of White's-an anonymous scoundrel who earns a living from the misery of others. Until Stephen himself finds himself forced into a duel. Confronted by the one opponent she fears above all, Portia must make the ultimate choice: reveal her identity...or fight to the fateful end. Tropes you'll love: Hidden identity / secret life heroine Lady with unconventional skills Wounded soldier / hero haunted by war Redemption through love Forbidden love / love across social rules Strong, independent heroine Grumpy, tormented hero
Full Product Details
Author: Emily Royal
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Imprint: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Volume: 8
Dimensions:
Width: 14.00cm
, Height: 1.80cm
, Length: 21.00cm
Weight: 0.381kg
ISBN: 9781969349515
ISBN 10: 1969349514
Pages: 338
Publication Date: 22 November 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Author Information
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Emily Royal is a mathematics geek who grew up in Sussex, England and has always had a passion for romance and bad boy heroes in need of redemption. After graduating from Oxford and enjoying a brief dream of becoming a pilot she started a career in financial services.She now lives in rural Scotland with her husband, two daughters and a menagerie of pets including Twinkle, an attention-seeking boa constrictor. When not working on algebra, writing or keeping Twinkle from slithering over her keyboard, Emily enjoys painting, playing the piano and can often be found wandering in the Highlands of Scotland looking for inspiration.
