Eighteen year old Catherine Martin gave her heart away when she was fifteen years old. Without thought or question, it was given to the boy with the striking blue eyes that worked at his father’s blacksmith shop. Elijah Baldwin captured her heart and mind when he spoke freely and honestly, something Catherine is not used to in her world of society rules. Sadly, Elijah’s family is snatched from him by the yellow fever, leaving him to the Guileford family. There are worse families to be orphaned into; after all, the Guilefords are the richest family in Philadelphia. Things change when Elijah realizes his new brother and confidante turns out to be Catherine’s intended.
Vincent Guileford is handsome very much like Elijah, the same tanned skin, shaggy brown hair, but that is where the similarities are lost upon the two men. Whereas Elijah is kind and caring, Vincent is cold and calculating, only wanting to possess things to make him appear better than his adopted brother.
Things become complicated between the two men when they realize they both love the same woman, but Catherine only has eyes for Elijah. Vincent threatens her and everyone she loves if she refuses to marry him, a threat she surely does not think he intends on carrying through. Catherine wants to marry for love, not for riches, and especially not for social status. She will make it her mission to be with the boy who stole her heart so long ago. In Catherine's world of privilege, such a pursuit is costly and will test how far she is willing to go for her brightest hour.
Brightest Hour is an epic love story set in 18th century Philadelphia.
