An inconvenient romance : a regency romance

The countryside of England provided an idyllic backdrop for Charles Brumley's and Leah Hastings's childhood. Neighbors and best friends, the pair passed many happy days racing through the rolling hills of Derbyshire. Everything was perfect—until Charles ruined it all and abandoned Leah for university. Six years later, the former friends are thrust into each other's paths once more. Leah had been looking forward to the ball, an opportunity to further her acquaintance with the handsome Mr. Wilkins—but when she sees Charles's familiar face through the crowd, her traitorous heart leaps. Charles faces his own struggle: he has loved Leah since he was fifteen years old, yet it seems he is too late—it appears that her affections are otherwise engaged. As the pair tentatively renews their friendship, the spark between them is undeniable. After so many years apart, Leah endeavors to reconcile her feelings toward her once cherished companion. But when a conniving rival for Charles's attention approaches Leah, the threat is clear: give up her association with Charles or a devastating secret about her family will be revealed. Faced with an impossible decision, Leah must make a choice—the ruin of her family or the ruin of her heart? Charles Brumley and Leah Hastings were neighbors and best friends, passing many happy days racing through the rolling hills of Derbyshire--until Charles ruined it all and abandoned Lea for university. Six years later, Leah is looking forward to renewing her acquaintance at a ball with the handsome Mr. Wilkins when she sees Charles's handsome face through the crowd. Charles has loved Leah since he was fifteen years old, and as the pair tentatively renews their friendship, the spark between them is undeniable. But when a rival for Charles's attention approaches Leah and tells her to give up her association with Charles or a devastating secret about her family will be revealed, Leah must make a choice--the ruin of her family or the ruin of her heart.-- Adapted from publisher description