Stephanie Laurens’s fabulously romantic novels about the Cynsters’ lives and loves have captivated readers, making her a multiple New York Times bestseller and star. Now she returns with a new Cynster tale filled with the passion, mystery, and beguiling sensuality her readers expect.

Although living a life unencumbered by attachments has been very pleasurable, Simon Cynster realizes that fulfillment—at least for Cynster males—requires a wife and family of his own. But the raven-haired Portia Ashford is most definitely not the kind of bride he has in mind. Aside from knowing him since childhood, she’s willfully independent and uninterested in marriage.

However, yearning for children of her own, Portia has reluctantly accepted the need for a husband. Portia knows it can’t be just any eligible gentleman—and certainly not Simon Cynster. He and she have crossed wills for years. But after sharing an unexpected kiss, the battle lines abruptly change. And when a murderer strikes, then stalks Portia, nothing will ever be the same—not for her, or the Last True Rake. . . .