New York Times bestselling author Bertrice Small
continues her glorious historical-romance series featuring
four sisters in Renaissance Florence who have anything but
marriage on their minds….
Giovanni Pietro d’Angelos selected his oldest daughter’s
husband, and the marriage proved to be a disaster. He offers
to give his next oldest daughter, Francesca, more latitude
in choosing a husband than her sister had. But the arrogant
beauty has no desire to marry, and she drives every
potential suitor away.
The Duke of Terreno Boscoso seeks a wife for his heir,
Rafaello, and invites Francesca, along with several other
possible brides, to come meet him. Francesca’s parents think
it’s a good match, but she refuses to consider it until her
father makes her a promise: If he does not suit, you may
return. She is therefore shocked when, not long after they
meet, Rafaello chooses her as his bride and her parents
agree to his proposal—without her consent.
Furious and feeling betrayed, Francesca flees into the woods
and takes shelter at an inn. There, she earns her keep as a
servant—and meets an unlikely suitor who steals her heart.
But the future remains uncertain for the runaway bride, who
is still promised to another.