The Mad Countess. Gothic Brides, #1

True love must break the curse of madness in this dark, emotional Gothic Regency Romance... When Lady Claire Deering's mother enters an insane asylum, society is quick to scorn her, dubbing her the Mad Daughter. But Claire's tattered reputation is the least of her worries, as those rumors hold a horrible, terrifying truth: the Deering women are victims of a dark witch's curse. If Claire marries her true love, she'll spend the rest of her life under the thrall of madness.
To save herself, she remains isolated...until a will reading at a mysterious castle on All Hallows Eve places her in close confines with her dearest friend and secret love. Bashful, scholarly Teddy Lockwood has never met a rule he didn't rejoice in following. When he unexpectedly inherits the Ashbrooke earldom, he's determined to turn over a new, more courageous leaf--starting with telling Claire that he's loved her since they were children.
The will reading presents the perfect opportunity to win her heart, even if he's vastly out of his element at this enigmatic, shadowy Cornwall castle. Soon, the simmering passion between them becomes unstoppable. Now, to save the love of his life, Teddy will do whatever it takes to break the dark magic's hold on Claire. Will Claire spend her life within the grips of strange delirium, or will love prove the strongest of all? Previously published in MYSTIFIED"Monroe at her best.
The characters are fierce and admirable, the emotions are intense, and the story evoked memories of a keeper shelf classic... Monroe writes heroines who are flawed, gritty, and relatable." -Christy Carlyle, USA Today Bestselling Author on The Determined DuchessThe Gothic Brides series: edgy, atmospheric Gothic Romance, exploring the dark, dangerous corners of Regency England. Each book stands on its own.
THE MAD COUNTESS THE DETERMINED DUCHESS THE SCANDALOUS WIDOW