_Balinor_

Lady Rhea Montgomery, Countess of Riverian has the perfect life.
A wonderful, powerful husband who rules his county with dignity and honour. Enough wealth to keep her dressed in the finest of silks and decked in jewels to enhance her radiant beauty. And people who love her as their beloved Countess.
Life is perfect, until suddenly it isn't and Rhea loses everything to a woman younger and more capable.
Becoming no one after being someone is almost too much to bear and just when Rhea resigns herself to her fate, along comes Lord Augustus Holloway, Duke of Ravenholm.
Everything she has heard about the powerful and dangerous man says to stay away but his sweet fondness for her says otherwise.
Augustus seduces Rhea into his frightening yet exciting world and leaves her questioning whether she could be someone without Lanon, and if her connection to him is worth the chaos it brings into her once peaceful life.
Rhea had once been a merchant's daughter and then a Countess. If she played the game right, and she damn well will, she could become a Duchess or maybe even Queen.

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Note: There is some confusion because of the language I use and the setting but please be aware that THIS IS NOT A HISTORICAL NOVEL.
It's a mix between 19th/20th century society and values and modern day technological advances.
Please keep that in mind so you don't go in with expectations that will not be met.
If you're cool with that, go right ahead and enjoy.

Lord Holloway's Adored Lady: Climbing The Ranks After Divorce

Emma's lips parted in shock, and then her expression grew thunderous, eyes glaring furiously at Rhea.

"You think this is a game?! I have half a mind to skip the fucking theatrics and just send this to the Grand Duke. Spare him the headache of keeping sloppy seconds as a valued pet..."

The guard moved so fast that neither woman noticed until he had a hand around Emma's neck and was slamming her into the wall like a ragdoll.

Rhea watched with wide eyes and a slight grin as Emma struggled against his hold with wide, panicked eyes.

"Miss Wellman is an honoured guest of the Grand Duke. You speak to her with respect or not at all, am I understood?"

Emma shakily nodded, her complexion worsening the longer she went without air.

He finally released her, and the redheaded woman dropped like a puppet with its strings cut, desperately struggling to take in air.

Beginning Of The End