Fate Is a Stranger

Beautiful Violet Durbin, the illegitimate but publicly acknowledged daughter of Viscount Kelly, lives as a social outcast on the fringes of society and constantly fends off illicit propositions from society men. But Lord Jared Falweir, nephew of the Duke of Hawkinston, has fallen in love with Violet and intends to marry her. During his attempts to keep his nephew from becoming involved with Violet, the haughty Duke of Hawkinston falls for her himself and begins a relentless pursuit, certain he can convince her into becoming his mistress. But Violet's father lost his standing in society because he acknowledged her and Violet has sworn she will never stain her father's name further by becoming a kept woman. But Violet's rare beauty provokes obsessive passions in some of the men she comes in contact with, especially Hawkinston's sister's step-son, Lord Souten, who has vowed Violet will be his by whatever means.