Courting Temptation

After the sudden loss of her mother, Tabetha Barkley is left on the brink of destitution, with no prospects and no skills to her name. Desperate, she turns to the Duchess of Devon, hoping to redeem an old favor owed to her mother. Her plea is granted, and Tabetha becomes a maid in the grand Devon household. It seems like a lifeline—until a charming footman begins to stir emotions she can't afford to feel. Thomas Kingston has always served the Duke of Devon with pride, content in his position. But the moment he lays eyes on Tabetha Barkley in the Duchess's drawing-room, he finds his world turned upside down. Suddenly, Thomas dares to dream of a future far beyond his station—a future where he could serve both the Duke and love Tabetha. Yet, the rules are clear: footmen cannot court maids. As days turn into nights filled with longing glances and stolen moments, Tabetha and Thomas find themselves drawn into a forbidden romance. Their hearts are entwined, but their places in society demand they remain apart. Will they have the courage to defy convention and fight for the love they both yearn for, or will duty and propriety tear them apart?