#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn presents the second novel of the delightful Bridgerton Prequel series in a stunning new package. There were Bridgertons before the eight alphabetically named siblings and in this novel we go back to where it all began. . . While you were sleeping... With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching she finds not her brother but his best friend the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He s unconscious and in desperate need of her care and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier s life even if staying by his side means telling one little lie... I told everyone I was your wife... When Edward comes to he s more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out three months of his memory but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is--even if he does not recall her face--and with everyone calling her his wife he decides it must be true even though he d always assumed he d marry his neighbor back in England. If only it were true... Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself--completely--to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby.