The Earl's Illegal Heir

He needs a fortune to save his title. She needs a miracle to save her home. But in the high-stakes game of the London ton, the most dangerous move is falling in love.Julian Thorne, the notorious "Rake of Relth," is a man living on borrowed time and stolen money. When his perfect brother dies at the front, Julian inherits a crumbling earldom drowning in debt. To save his tenants and his family name, he commits a desperate act of fraud-only to find himself blackmailed by a ruthless rival who holds the keys to his ruin.Elara Vance is not your typical Regency damsel. A brilliant botanist with a sharp tongue and a bankrupt father, she cares more for rare ferns than silk ballgowns. When she catches the Earl in a compromising position, she doesn't scream for a chaperone-she makes a deal.The Arrangement: A fake engagement to skyrocket Julian's credit and shield Elara from a predatory suitor. The Rules: No real feelings, no shared secrets, and absolutely no touching.