She’s already had her great love. He’s determined to be her next.

Matilda Elliot has loved—and lost. Now a widow, she finds comfort in family, needlework, and the quiet certainty that her heart will never love again. Marriage, whether for love or convenience, is behind her. But while chaperoning her cousins through the glittering chaos of the Season, she meets Gregory Seaver—the Duke of Somerset—who challenges everything she thought she’d buried.

Gregory has spent the past decade immersed in scholarly pursuits, far from society’s whims. When he finally decides it’s time to marry, he expects to choose a bright young debutante. Instead, he’s captivated by Matilda’s quiet strength, sharp tongue, and the sorrow she carries like a second skin. Though she refuses the prospect of marriage, Gregory can’t stay away—and proposes a secret affair, asking only for what she’s willing to give.

But when a single Season of stolen moments leads to an unexpected pregnancy, Matilda is forced to confront her past and the possibility of a future she never imagined. As Gregory’s devotion proves constant and true, Matilda must decide: can love come twice in a lifetime—and will she let it?

A heartfelt story of second chances, unwavering devotion, and the courage to embrace a new kind of happily ever after. Perfect for readers who love he falls first, love after loss, and surprise pregnancy tropes.