After the Kiss

When Eliza arrives at Blackthorne Abbey seeking a position as governess, she never expects the scarred, brooding Duke to demand marriage as his price—or that she'd actually consider saying yes. Marcus has spent years convinced that his battle wounds have made him unlovable, but Eliza's bold spirit and genuine kindness threaten to crack through his carefully built walls. As they navigate a marriage of convenience filled with stolen glances and undeniable chemistry, both must learn that true beauty isn't found in perfection, but in the courage to be truly seen. This is a swoon-worthy second-chance romance wrapped in gothic atmosphere and the kind of emotional depth that will have you rooting for these two wounded hearts to find their way home to each other.