London, 1853. Lady Catherine has a secret.
To the fencing world, she is Alexander Gray — skilled, respected, and on the verge of winning the tournament that will immortalize her name on the coveted traveling trophy. To her mother, she is the newly elevated daughter of an earl, expected to abandon such nonsense and marry well. Catherine has one last tournament. Then she will disappear into respectability forever.
Until she saves a man’s life and ruins everything.
Daniel, Marquess of Huntley, owes Catherine a debt of honor he can only repay one way — marriage. It is not the match either of them wanted. He needs a wife of impeccable standing to silence the whispers about his father’s madness. She needs a husband who values her for who she truly is. Neither believes the other can provide what they need.
But someone else has noticed Catherine’s secret — and they intend to use it. As threats escalate from blackmail to violence, Catherine and Daniel must navigate a marriage built on duty while a dangerous enemy closes in.
Catherine has faced down opponents on the fencing floor her entire life. She has never faced one willing to kill.
A Victorian romantic suspense with adventure, wit, and heart — featuring a heroine with a secret worth fighting for and a hero learning that honor and love are not the same thing.
Tropes ✓ Victorian romantic suspense ✓ Secret identity ✓ Disguise romance ✓ Marriage of convenience ✓ Enemies to lovers ✓ Blackmail and kidnapping ✓ Hero proves his worth ✓ Heroine proves her worth ✓ HEA ✓ Standalone in series Trigger warning: mild swearing, open door love scene
THE SECRETS AND SEDUCTION SERIES (can be read as standalones) Book 0.5 — Lady Cecilia is Cordially Disinvited for Christmas Book 1 — It Takes a Spy Book 2 — Lady Catherine’s Secret Book 3 — Once Upon a Spy Book 4 — My Lady, My Spy Book 5 — Along Came a Spy
