Despised & Desired

War left its mark.

England, 1806: Returning from the war with France, Sir Frederick Lancaster is haunted by the loss of his closest friend and burdened with guilt that gnaws at his soul. Just as he settles into this new life of shadows, tragedy strikes once more, thrusting upon him a title he never wished for—Marquess of Elmridge.

She lost her beauty, but never hope.

Ellie Munford's life was forever changed by an accident that left her scarred and deemed undesirable by society. Yet beneath her marked exterior lies a vibrant spirit, a woman who refuses to surrender to despair or to the expectations that she fade quietly away. Her resilience is her beauty, her scars a badge of honor.

They married for duty.

Tasked by his duty, Frederick must find a wife and secure an heir before he can return to the battlefield and embrace the fate he believes he deserves. His mother, ever the strategist, chooses Ellie, the one woman Frederick never expected—a spinster who harbors a secret affection for him.

He vowed never to love … but then came Ellie.

As Frederick and Ellie begin their life together, he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her. Ellie's kindness and strength challenge his resolve, sparking a desire for something he thought was lost forever: a chance at love and happiness. Her presence becomes his solace, her laughter a light in his dark world.

But Frederick's plan for a heroic end still looms. Will he follow through with his grim intentions, or will Ellie's love inspire him to choose a different path?