Book excerpt: The New York Times–bestselling third book in Jennifer Wilde’s acclaimed trilogy takes Marietta Danver to the dazzling palaces of imperial Russia, on a dangerous quest for passion, redemption, and love Marietta Danver is on her way to London to reunite with the man she loves when her coach crashes. She awakens ten days later in a village inn under the care of Lucie Orlov and her uncle. Tall, mesmerizingly handsome Count Gregory Orlov was Catherine the Great’s uncrowned emperor and one of the most powerful men in the realm—until the possessive, wildly jealous empress banished her lover from the court. Marietta too has been betrayed. Jeremy Bond has left the city—with another woman and all of Marietta’s money. Heartbroken, with nowhere else to turn, she takes the position of companion to Lucie and travels with the Orlovs back to Russia. At their lavish country estate in St. Petersburg, she becomes trapped in a different kind of prison. Caught up in the dangerous intrigues of the imperial court, she fights for her freedom and her life—and a love she’ll move heaven and earth to claim. The Marietta Danver Trilogy also includes Love’s Tender Fury and Love Me, Marietta.