#Forbidden Love#Best friends to loversLady Marianne Ayles has always been acutely conscious of her stepbrother, Julian Montgomery, the dashing and mysterious Viscount Hardwick. When her stepfather, the Marquess, expresses concern over Julian’s prolonged withdrawal from social events and increasing reclusiveness, he implores Marianne to intervene.Aware of Julian's steadfast resolve to avoid love, Marianne boldly suggests a risqué wager with stakes that are both daring, scandalous, and likely to lead to irrevocable heartbreak.