When seventeen year old Lady Augustine "Auggie" Jane Ascott sees a strange man lurking outsider her rented New York home, beckoning for her and her ten year old brother, Nathanial, to open the window, she informs her parents of the incident. Nathanial's constantly spinning conspiracy theories but with Auggie backing up his claim, their parents have to believe he's not exaggerating. Informed by her father that the man is a friend of his and not to worry, Auggie lets the matter go until her brother is taken that very night, leaving behind a note that says I forgive you.

Two years later, now back in London, Auggie is still convinced her father had something to do with her brother's disappearance but can't prove it and knows she needs to carry on with her life. When Leonard Gabriel Stewart, the fifth duke of Wentworth, proposes marriage, Auggie is shocked. Though she has admired him for awhile, even if he is sixteen years her senior, the entire ton knows how devoted Leonard is to the memory of his late wife. Brought together by the pain of having experienced tragedy, they'll now embark on a journey to heal their hearts and discover the secrets of the past.

Typically I find novellas quite frustrating because there's so little time to delve into the story before it's over. Quite often there's a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am feel to them, which, thankfully, is not the case with FOREVER MINE, Delilah Marvelle's teaser novella that sets up her new Rumor series. Now one would think, with only 88 pages, there isn't a whole lot of story to cram in but Ms. Marvelle does it. Not only is it intriguing and mysterious, it's highly addictive. If the rest of the series lives up to the start, then Ms. Marvelle is in trouble, because a lot of people, myself included, are going to start demanding she write faster and more frequently. And what's better than a highly addictive book that hooks you onto a stellar new series? Getting it free! Rumor has it, FOREVER MINE will be offered as a free e-book, so break out your Nooks, Kindles and various other devices and be prepared to become engrossed.

Book Summary

London, 1802 Lady Augustine Jane Ascott longs for a man who will do more than offer his hand in marriage. She wants a husband she can trust, someone who will shield her from the darkness of the world. Her heart was broken when her little brother was kidnapped years earlier, and she still carries the pain of his loss.

When the handsome Duke of Wentworth makes his feelings for her known, Augustine's past demons warn her away. Besides, every woman in London knows he's devoted to the memory of his late wife. But is it possible he cares for her after all —and that their love can bring them the peace they both crave?