Joan Kayse

The Patrician's Fortune Joan Kayse

Born a son of Rome?s Equestrian class, Damon Primax?s life should have been one of wealth and privilege. Instead, his father sold him to settle a gambling debt stripping Damon of his birthright, his freedom and the family he loved. Emancipated by a master turned friend, he sets aside his own life to reunite his family, agreeing once more to indenture himself to a Senator as a spy to free his sister. Julia Manulus, daughter of a progressive, respected Roman Senator, understands the eccentric and indulgent life of Rome?s patrician society which is why she avoids it. Still, as head of her father?s house, a duty she inherited at the death of her mother, she must maintain the dignity of her family while her unconventional father pursues other interests. When her father goes missing, she faces her biggest challenge when the powerful Prefect of Rome pressures her to marry. Lured into a conspiracy set by his duplicitous employer and sentenced to die, Damon finds himself saved by a woman too beautiful to be anything less than a goddess. But his gratitude is tempered by the bitter truth that his life is the price he pays to be a pawn in a patrician game. A simple matter to play the role of husband to the noble Julia until he starts to see how human his goddess is, caring for her family and others. When the attraction and desire he feels is reciprocated, Damon dares to dream again only to have it threatened by the intrigue of powerful men who would see them both destroyed. Can the clash of social class and greed be overcome or will Damon pay the ultimate price to protect the woman he loves?