Finding the Black Orchid

Book excerpt: When Jessalyn Hunter finds herself ruined, both socially and financially, she is forced to accept the help of her brother's best friend -- a man she's loved since childhood. Haunted by a tragic past, Ethan has spent his life evading emotional attachments. However, when his dying friend asks him to marry Jessalyn, he reluctantly agrees, fearing the weight of responsibility that comes with it. In a marriage born out of necessity, Jessalyn and Ethan embark on a journey where unexpected feelings blossom. As their hearts yearn for connection, the shadows of their past threaten to consume them. Will they find the strength to embrace love, or will the ghosts of their previous lives extinguish the flame? Join Lady Jessalyn and Ethan in this captivating historical romance as they navigate the delicate balance between duty, desire, and the redemptive power of true love. Will they defy the odds and forge a future together, or will their haunted pasts tear them apart?