The Lonely Earl

the long version

Beautiful Faustina Kennet and dashingly handsome Hugh Crale had grown up on adjoining Devon estates. Faustina had fairly worshipped the older Hugh, Hugh had barely noted Faustina's existence - but now all that was drastically changed. Hugh was back from abroad, having survived a disastrous marriage that left him cynical and cautious toward all of the fair sex. Faustina was back from the season in London, having rejected all suitors for her hand as she refused to humble herself for any man. Clearly the two had nothing in common. Clearly they should stay safely apart. And clearly sparks were about to fly when these two unwilling neighbors came together first in violent anger, next in no-holds barred battle, and then in a love too unlikely for either of them to admit.