When a duke discovers the woman he loves was tricked into marrying another, the master chess player makes the now-widowed Viscountess the highest-stakes wager of his life: he will find husbands for her two reluctant-to-marry sisters--or depart forever. Thus begins a sparkling new series from acclaimed author Vanessa Riley.

 

When her reclusive older sister dismisses the Duke of Torrance, the only gentleman to show kindness to the Wilcox sisters through their most recent financial struggles, Georgina Wilcox, a wallflower with hidden talents, decides to shock the Viscountess and kisses the first willing stranger she meets in the enchanting gardens of Anya House. Unfortunately, Lady Hampton is not the soul witness. A group of reporters who've come to Anya House for the duke's science gathering and the ton's leading gossips catch Georgina in a passionate embrace with a reticent composer, Lord Mark Sebastian.

 

The third son of an influential marquis, the tongue-tied Mark is determined to keep the scandal from ruining Georgina's reputations and his own prospects of winning the celebrated Harlbert's Prize for music. Under the guise of private lessons, the two embark on a daring gamble to fool the ton into believing that their feigned courtship is honorable while bolstering Georgina's singing genius to captivate potential suitors. Sexist cartoons, family rivalries, and an upcoming ball test the fake couple's resolve. Will their sudden fiery collaboration--and growing attraction--prove there's nothing false about a first kiss and scandalously irresistible temptation?