Can she trust him, when she trusts no one? Roddy McClane is returning home to the Scottish Highlands for Christmas. Feeling nostalgic for his past, and inspired by his friend, Seth Musgrave, the new Duke of Auchen, Roddy heads north. He finds himself protector of a young woman and a baby boy fleeing the aftermath of the Clearances, which have destroyed their home. Soon, Roddy feels more than protective. He's falling in love with the brave young woman who finds it so hard to trust. Can she trust him enough to keep safe her infant nephew, as well as her heart? (Note: This story was first published as part of the Dragonblade Publishing Boxed set [Star of Wonder](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58371374.StarofWonder "Star of Wonder"), November 2021)

Hate brought them together. Will love tear them apart? Welcome to book 1 in the exciting new series from USA Today Bestselling Author Elizabeth Ellen Carter. William Musgrave, Duke of Auchen, is dying. When he goes to his grave, he will take with him the opportunity to right a wrong that has left Lady Ruby McAllister impoverished. Ruby has the contract that pledged her father a one-third share in a successful Scottish textile mill. But Auchen never made good on his promise before Ruby's father died. Now Ruby has lost her beloved Strathaird, home to the McAllisters for centuries. Her only hope is to confront the duke before he dies. And her chance comes when a vacancy arises for a new night nurse in his London household. Standing in her way is Seth Musgrave, the duke's estranged son, who despises his father for deriding him as an imbecile. In truth, Seth is the driving force behind his father's successful enterprise. William Musgrave has heeded no one in his life except for his wife. She died twenty years ago, but Ruby hears him call for her in his nightly delirium. What if Ruby answered his call, pretending to be the only woman who could ever persuade the duke to do the right thing? How long can Ruby keep her secret when Seth is trying to distract her with his kisses? And what if Seth learns the woman he’s falling in love with is deceiving the Duke?

To find his future he must own his past... Raised as an Englishman, Armand Danger, Comte de Ytres, is troubled by a dream from his childhood that leaves him speculating on his French past. He is convinced an elaborate clock belonging to his late father, executed in the French Revolution, holds the answers he seeks. Miss Jade Bridges works as a valuer in her family's London antiques shop and auction house. One day she receives mysterious letter from an anonymous client willing to pay any price for a very specific statue clock. While in pursuit of the clock, Jade and Armand meet and there's immediate attraction. But how can it amount to anything when they are rivals for the very same object? As the couple grow closer and attraction deepens, they agree to join forces to find the timepiece together. Then an antiques dealer is killed. It appears someone else is willing to extract a fatal price to possess the clock for themselves. What is it about this curio for the count that someone is willing to commit murder for it?