Description

From the beloved World Fantasy Awardwinning author of Witchmark comes a sweeping romantic new fantasy set in a world reminiscent of Regency England where womens magic is taken from them when they marry A sorceress must balance her desire to become the first great female magician against her duty to her familyBeatrice Clayborn is a sorceress who practices magic in secret terrified of the day she will be locked into a marital collar that will cut off her powers to protect her unborn children She dreams of becoming a fullfledged Magus and pursuing magic as her calling as men do but her family has staked everything to equip her for Bargaining Season when young men and women of means descend upon the city to negotiate the best marriages The Clayborns are in severe debt and only she can save them by securing an advantageous match before their creditors come calling In a stroke of luck Beatrice finds a grimoire that contains the key to becoming a Magus but before she can purchase it a rival sorceress swindles the book right out of her hands Beatrice summons a spirit to help her get it back but her new ally exacts a price Beatrices first kiss with her adversarys brother the handsome compassionate and fabulously wealthy Ianthe Lavan The more Beatrice is entangled with the Lavan siblings the harder her decision becomes If she casts the spell to become a Magus she will devastate her family and lose the only man to ever see her for who she is but if she marrieseven for loveshe will sacrifice her magic her identity and her dreams But how can she choose just one knowing she will forever regret the path not taken