Ruined by a Rake

Nine-year-old Eleanor Abbington's initial encounter with her future stepbrother Nicolas Norton sparks a contentious rivalry that evolves over the years, especially as they discover a shared passion for fencing. Now twenty-four and mourning her mother's death, Eleanor faces her uncle’s ultimatum to marry a man of his choosing or see her sister forced into an unwanted match. When Nick unexpectedly reenters her life, he encourages Eleanor to rediscover her strength through their fencing matches, revealing a deeper side to both of them. As old grudges turn into unexpected alliances, Eleanor begins to question her place in a changing world.