Will she accept his proposal before the clock strikes midnight? Sophie Beckett never dreamed she could sneak into Lady Bridgerton's infamous masquerade ball – or that the “Prince Charming” would be waiting for her right there!

Though the daughter of a count, Sophie was reduced to a servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, as she spins in the strong arms of the elegant and dangerously charming Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like a queen. Alas, she knows all the magic will fade when the clock strikes midnight.

Since that magical night, a dazzling silver apparition has blinded Benedict to any other charming woman – except perhaps for this alluring and oddly familiar beauty in a maid's uniform whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most unpleasant situation. He has sworn to find and marry his mysterious lady, yet this enchanting maid awakens desire within him.

However, if Benedict offers her his heart, will he sacrifice his one chance at a fairy-tale romance?

“Julia Quinn is the Jane Austen of our time.” Jill Barnett.

With 18 books on the New York Times best sellers list, Julia Quinn is considered one of the leading authors of the genre worldwide, having been translated into 26 languages.