In the hidden love story before Pride and Prejudice, scandal binds young Lady Catherine to a man whose power embodies everything she has learned to fear.

 Perfection is a lady’s only armor, but on the night of her debut a public snub from the cousin she was raised to marry leaves Lady Catherine Fitzwilliam disgraced. Capturing the interest of the Duke's heir might be enough to repair the damage, but it's a dangerous move. With a father whose title shielded every cruelty, she knows the dangers of men with such unchecked power.

 After dismissing Catherine as far too innocent for a man of his reputation, Charles Ashworth, Earl of Renault, discovers the ambitious lady has set in motion a scandal she may not survive. Stepping forward to shield her from ruin, Charles soon finds himself desperate to rescue her from the very life she leads.

 In a world that never forgives, Catherine and Charles can outrun scandal only so long. But love may prove as dangerous as the secrets they keep.

 An emotionally rich historical romance, Young Lady Catherine reveals the story at the heart of the woman Jane Austen made unforgettable for trying to keep her nephew Darcy from marrying Elizabeth Bennet, in Book One of the Pride and Prejudice Origins Series.