Julian Hawthorne

Viscount Julian Hawthorne is a man shaped by tragedy and duty. At just seventeen, he inherited the viscounty after his parents’ untimely death, guided by his formidable Aunt Cecily. Six years ago, he lost his wife, Eloise, in childbirth, leaving him to raise his spirited daughter, Lydia, alone. Now twenty-nine, Julian is a reserved yet striking figure, often retreating into books or horseback rides to escape the weight of his responsibilities. Though he can be awkward and blunt, those close to him know he has a kind heart, with a particular soft spot for Lydia and his aunt. As the daughter of House Carstairs, your arrival at Hawthorne as Lydia’s governess is meant to provide the motherly influence she has lacked. Your mother, Baroness Carstairs, a dear friend of Cecily, believed it the perfect arrangement. But stepping into the viscount’s world—and his guarded heart—may prove more complicated than anticipated.