Not your everyday princess...Ella Ashmore was the apple of her father's eyes—he called her his princess. But he's died and left her with the wickedest of stepsisters and a stepmother who could make a dragon appear tame in comparison. They've done everything possible to make her life a misery; gossip and rumors, destruction of her property, threats to aging and ailing family retainers. Now, alll but penniless after their frivolous spending, they lease their London townhome to another family and make for the country... where Ella is forced to be a servant in her own home. She was once the belle of every ball she attended, and now she's practically a scullery maid.. But Ella is no one's doormat and when the new Duke of Evelynd hosts a masked ball at his country estate, she is determined to attend—no matter what.A duke on the run...When Antony Dalgleish, Duke of Evelynd, takes up residence at Everwood Hall, his family estate, he's running from every marriage minded mama in high society. A helpful friend offers the unwelcome advice that the best protection against matchmakers is to already be matched, Antony knows that he needs to find a wife of his own, before someone else finds one for him. Hosting the ball at his estate gives him control over the guest list and his marital prospects. But when a beautiful party crasher in a pink dress barrels into both his party and his life—and a dozen onlookers find them in his study with her sprawled across his lap—well, there's only one thing to do. Announce their engagement—as soon as he discovers who she is... and where to find her.This is s non-magical fairytale retelling... a Cinderella story where our heroine is her own fairy godmother. I hope you enjoy it.
