Book excerpt: A maid secretly takes her mistress’s place in an arranged marriage—igniting unexpected passion—in New York Times– and USA Today–bestselling author Heather Graham’s turn-of-the-century romance. On a frigid March day in Yorkshire in 1895, ten-year-old Marissa Ayers encounters a raven-haired, blue-eyed stranger for the first time. When next they meet, she has put the dust of the coal mines behind her and is now a lady’s maid at a fine estate, determined to escape her hardscrabble life. Marissa recognizes him instantly, but has no inkling that their lives are about to come together in the most intimate way—until her mistress begs her to take her place in a marriage of convenience. Haunted by the memory of his lost love, Ian Tremayne is honor-bound by the promise he made to an old friend. His marriage to Katherine Mary Ahearn will be a union in name only. Yet something about the proud, green-eyed Englishwoman seems familiar . . . and intrigues him. He takes her home to America, where the willful beauty slowly begins to thaw his guarded heart. But will she reveal herself to him completely? This ebook features an illustrated biography of Heather Graham, including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.