The Pale Emperor

Vivienne grew up knowing her place in the world. Her mother was an Empress of the realm and she would do as she was told and be married off for the benefit of their people and their political needs. Vivienne was quite resigned to this fact. When Damien Bowden opened his door the last thing he expected was to find a quiet slip of a girl on the other side. His curse had caused him to isolate himself for years and his rusty manners were not prepared for Vivienne Perone. Together they make an unlikely pair, and when Damien can no longer resist his attraction to Vivienne he begins the least traditional courtship known to history. Will Vivienne and Damien work out their differences or will they be unable to find a middle ground? This story was previously published in an anthology.