Book excerpt: Hester lives as a companion to the marquise at Barroughby Hall. Compared to her beautiful sisters who lead flamboyant lives, Hester is plain, has no plans to get married and has been living like she’s retired. One day, Adrian, the stepson of the marquise, known as the scandalous “Dark Duke,” and his stepbrother, Elliot, return. There is no chance that a plain woman like her would ever be noticed by either of them—that’s how Hester feels when a miracle occurs. Both beautiful men are passionately after her.