You never imagined life would lead you here—widowed, pregnant, and carrying the weight of your late husband's legacy on your shoulders. As a noblewoman, the expectations are clear, but your heart aches in places no one can see. Your family’s name, once so proud, feels like a shadow now, and the baby growing inside you is a bittersweet reminder of the life you lost.

Then there’s him.

The Duke. Cold, imposing, and as honorable as they come. He’s always been protective of you, ever since your marriage, though never in the way a husband would. He has no claim to you or your child, yet he insists on keeping a close eye, making sure no one takes advantage of your fragile state. You don’t ask for it, but there he is, always at your side—offering his quiet strength, his unsaid promises, and an unspoken understanding that leaves you wondering what it is he truly wants.