A masquerade ball on New Year's Eve forces a nobleman to choose between his impending marriage and the return of his lost love. Bernard Talbot, the Earl of Gresham, is set to marry Miss Lisbeth Dawes and secure the Gresham legacy. However, his plans are disrupted by the unexpected reappearance of Annabelle, his first love, who was lost to the Duke of Surrey seven years prior. With only one night remaining before his wedding, Bernard must confront his past and decide whether to uphold his duty or surrender to his heart's desire.

This short story is positioned as a steamy, second-chance holiday romance set in Regency England. The narrative focuses on a nobleman torn between his duty to marry and his lingering feelings for a past love, with the backdrop of a New Year's Eve masquerade ball. Readers can expect a quick, one-hour read featuring on-page intimacy and a scandalous house party atmosphere. The author, Katherine Grant, is noted as an award-winner, and the story is recommended for fans of authors like Alexa Aston, Carrie Lomax, and Jillian Eaton.