When two strangers meet under false pretenses during an idyllic week in the French countryside, they’ll each need to face the truth to find one other again, in a dazzling new Regency romance from the national bestselling author of The Heiress’s Daughter . Orphaned Zoë Benoît has spent the last three years in Paris learning how to be a lady. But Zoë is torn—as an independent spirit and a talented artist, she cannot help but want more than the tightly controlled life of a society lady. On an impulsive visit to the château where her mother lived, Zoë, disguised as a maidservant named Vita, meets a handsome wandering artist, known simply as Reynard. One blissful week with the charming Reynard convinces Zoë that this is the man and the life for her—until she discovers what he’s been hiding from her, and she flees, heartbroken. Longing for the chance to redeem himself, Reynard searches far and wide for the woman he knows as Vita, to no avail. Disheartened, he returns to England to reluctantly resume his role as Julian Fox, the Earl of Foxton. However, when he sees one of Zoë’s paintings, he realizes she’s in London, and becomes desperate to find her before it’s too late. But even if they reunite, can he convince Zoë he’s worthy of her trust and prove to her that, with him, she can be a free-spirited artist and a countess? “I never miss an Anne Gracie book.” — Julia Quinn , New York Times bestselling author Praise for the novels of Anne Gracie "This duel between determined male suitors and reluctant ladies is grounded with authentic emotional connections and a well-crafted plot. Paired with colorful secondary characters—which include three adorable little girls, a cat, one extremely annoying mother and several quirky gentlemen—the result is a thoroughly entertaining tale. Readers are in for a treat." — Shelf Awareness , on The Scoundrel's Daughter “For fabulous Regency flavor, witty and addictive, you can’t go past Anne Gracie.” — Stephanie Laurens , New York Times bestselling author  "[A] confection that brims with kindness and heartfelt sincerity...you can’t do much better than Anne Gracie who offers her share of daring escapes, stolen kisses, and heartfelt romance in a tale that carries the effervescent charm of the best Disney fairy-tales." — Entertainment Weekly “With her signature superbly nuanced characters, subtle sense of wit, and richly emotional writing, Gracie puts her distinctive stamp on a classic Regency plot.” — Chicago Tribune “Anne Gracie’s writing dances that thin line between always familiar and always fresh.” — New York Journal of Books “Will keep readers entranced…. A totally delightful read!” — RT Book Reviews Anne Gracie is the award-winning author of the Marriage of Convenience, Chance Sisters, and Brides of Bellaire Gardens romance series. She started her first novel while backpacking solo around the world, writing by hand in notebooks. Since then, her books have been translated into more than eighteen languages, and include Japanese manga editions. As well as writing, Anne promotes adult literacy, flings balls for her dog, enjoys her tangled garden, and keeps bees. Chapter One France Late autumn, 1821 The country house party had been a mistake, Zoë Benoît thought as she said her good nights and went in search of her bedchamber. She had accepted the invitation, thinking there would be picnics, day trips, rides in the country and so on. It was, after all, what she understood people did at house parties. Not this group. The guests were predominantly elderly people, and all they seemed to do was to sit and gossip, play cards, eat and snooze. So far the only exercise the ladies had taken was to stroll in the gardens or down to the lake, where they watched the gentlemen fishing-which was all they did, apart from eat, drink, play cards and shoot. It was most frustrating. As for the handful of younger members of the party, she had very little in common with them. The girls were pleasant enough, but all they talked of was fashion-which was interesting enough-and gossip about people she didn't know. And the three young gentlemen? They were cronies of Monsieur Etienne, the son and heir-and the less said about him the better. The only reason she'd accepted the invitation was that she was sure she'd finally have the opportunity to visit her mother's former home, which was about twenty miles away, or perhaps twenty kilometres-the new French system of measuring everything in decimals was confusing; people chopped and changed from one system to the other. But it was not too far away, she was sure. Heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs behind her. Blast. She knew who it would be. She quickened her pace. Behind her, Etienne, the spoiled, indulged, and deeply irritating heir of Baron Treffier, quickened his pace. She could hear him puffing. Zoë's temper was at breaking point. Five days she'd been at the Treffiers' country house party, and Etienne had spent f