Lord Eldricht Kraught, Duke of Dunnewik Isle, has met his future duchess in Miss Annabelle Lee Colvik of Ravenscroft Portsbay. Their first meeting is its own happenstance, an awkward, happy accident, but their connection is instant and undeniable. The hearts he wasn't aware he possessed are no longer in his possession. They’ve been taken captive by a deathly pale, curvy, raven-haired beauty with sharp brown eyes darker and deeper than the mines of Dunnewik and equally as full of secrets. Eldricht finds her unique features and standoffish nature enchanting. Those eyes too large for her human face meet his shadows-struck gaze evenly, without guile or fear. She's as genuine as the tentacles writhing about on his face. A pure spirit, the light for the darkness that plagues his being. He's taken in from her first softly uttered squeak of mortification, the deep pinkening of her apple cheeks as she tries to stutter and stammer her way out of their first encounter. He can't help but think of other instances in which she might make those adorable, high pitched sounds...

There's just one small problem. She's betrothed to another, Lord Hawksmoth, Eldricht's most trusted friend and confidant. Is Eldricht willing to betray his best friend to woo his future duchess? Can he convince Annabelle Lee to forsake Hawksmoth for him? Of monsters and gentlemen, Lord Kraught may just be willing to channel his inner beast of old if it means he gets the beauty.