Autumn & Ashes

Autumn & Ashes by Darryl Martel.

Charlotte Miles is starting over. After the end of a long, dull relationship, she's determined to rebuild her life on her own terms. No grand plans. No big risks. Just work, friends, and the small comfort of her daily coffee in Elmstead Park.

That's where she meets Edward and his golden retriever, Ash.

Their encounters are casual at first. A shared bench. A few conversations. A slowly growing bond over coffee and silence. Edward is kind, grounded, and somehow understands her in a way no one else does.

But he's not just a man with a dog and a soft smile.

He's Edward Fitzalan-Howard. the Duke of Norfolk. And Charlotte doesn't know.

As their connection grows into something deeper, Edward keeps his identity private, wanting to be chosen for who he is, not what he represents. When the truth comes out, Charlotte is blindsided, not only by his title, but by the media firestorm that follows.

Suddenly, she's being followed, photographed, analysed, and judged. Her past is public. Her future is uncertain. She must decide if she's willing to enter Edward's world or if staying true to herself means walking away.

Edward gives her space. But he doesn't give up. And Charlotte begins to realise that maybe the story doesn't have to be a fairytale. Maybe it can be something real.

Something better.