The empire is steady. The ledgers are balanced. But Lord Henry Kingston is about to lose control. For six years, the Earl of Derby has been the architect of his own unassailable reputation. Summoned for duty, he prepares to return to London - ready to manage his estates, appease his patrons, and maintain the impeccable order of the Kingston legacy.

Enter Lord Tristan Kingston: the brother Lord Henry can neither control nor predict. Irreverent and dangerously charming, Lord Tristan is a master of provocation, determined to rattle Lord Henry's restraint at every turn. When Lord Henry decides to debut a controversial collection of hidden Renaissance paintings, he doesn't just spark a scandal - he ignites a firestorm.

The exhibition sets off a chain of events that transforms a quiet season of duty into the calm before a devastating storm. While Lord Henry remains anchored by discipline and decorum, the first shadows of an inevitable unraveling begin to stir beneath the surface of his carefully constructed world.

This is the story of the man before the myth. Discover the first tremors of a scandal that will echo into The Grünewald Affair (Book 1)- and the moment Lord Henry realizes that no amount of calculation can protect a heart from the one woman he never saw coming. Why you'll love this prequel:

• The Stoic Earl: A deep dive into Henry's world of duty and discipline before it all comes crashing down.
• A Family Under Fire: The chemistry between two brothers who are polar opposites.
• Art & Intrigue: The start of a journey leading into the mystery involving stolen legacies and Regency high society.
• The Road to Book 1: Follow Lord Henry's journey from a man of ice to a man of passion.