An Unexpected Kiss

London dockworker Julian Watts was born out of wedlock. Raised by his seamstress mother, he has only known gnawing poverty. Through a remarkable discovery, he morphs into Julian Barrington, Marquess of Aldridge. Thrust into a world he never imagined, Julian grapples with his newfound status and the weight of the responsibilities that come with it. Lady Ariadne Worthington is on the verge of making her come-out when she meets her family's new neighbor, a titled gentleman that she is inexplicably drawn to. Lord Aldridge becomes friendly with her brother and cousin, and the more time she spends in the marquess' company, the more their attraction grows. An unexpected kiss from Julian leads Ariadne to believe he will pursue her, but once the Season begins, he dashes her hopes, ignoring her and dancing with nothing but wallflowers. As a diamond of the first water, Ariadne has her pick of suitors, yet the come-out Season she had long looked forward to now holds no appeal because of her broken heart.--