She came to Ashbourne Manor with a borrowed name and a secret that could get her killed. Jonathan Ashbourne wasn't looking for love. A duke who lived by fairness rather than rank, he measured people by honesty — not birth. But from the moment Elena entered his home, something shifted. She was not what she seemed. And he found himself noticing. Elena Vinteren is a princess in hiding. A brutal coup has shattered her kingdom, and the men who destroyed it are still hunting her. In Boston, behind the quiet role of a governess, she has built a fragile life. One that depends on no one seeing past the surface. Jonathan sees past the surface. As trust grows into something neither of them can name, Elena faces an impossible choice: the love she never expected — or the crown she was born to reclaim. Because the past is patient. And even an ocean cannot keep a secret forever. A sweeping historical romance of hidden identity, slow-burn love, and a loyalty tested by danger and destiny. Perfect for readers who love: Slow-burn romance with emotional depth - Hidden identities and royal secrets - Regency-era settings with high stakes - Strong heroines and heroes worth trusting Book One of The Edelreich Chronicles.