For the Duchess, murder comes uninvited in Ardent Ascension. Duchess Jacqueline Arienta Xavier has returned to Saphire at long last. After months of being away from her homeland, Jax is looking forward to spending her days working to better the lives of her people. Yet, shortly after her return to court, Jax receives a letter from the Earl of Croxfordshire, requesting her presence at an engagement party for the Earl's nephew, Yanis, and Lady Uma Dorrow. Happy to celebrate Uma's upcoming nuptials, Jax, Perry, and their friends set out for what is sure to be a joyous weekend full of love and laughter. However, the atmosphere is anything but festive once they arrive at the grand Saphirian estate. The Croxfords are all on edge, and Jax begins to wonder what secrets Uma's future in-laws are hiding. Things take a turn for the worse when a man is found dead the morning after a vicious storm. With Uma's happiness at stake, Jax and her companions are determined to uncover who amongst them is a killer. After all, it isn't really a royal affair without a mystery to solve.