The Rumpled Gentleman: A Victorian Fairy Tale Retold

Elara Millstone never wanted a life of impossible bargains. But when her father, once a respected alchemist, claims he can change straw into gold, they find themselves trapped in a dangerous game with the powerful Duke of Sutton. If her father fails to deliver on his promise, imprisonment would be the least of their worries.

Desperate to save them, Elara makes a deal of her own with a mysterious masked gentleman who seems to hold the key to their survival. But magic and alchemy are not the only forces at play—secrets, deception, and an unexpected attraction makes things more precarious. As Elara works to outwit the ruthless duke, she begins to wonder: has she struck a bargain with a savior or merely exchanged one cage for another?

Set in a Victorian-inspired world where magic is real and power is the ruling currency, The Rumpled Gentleman is a romantic, historical fantasy retelling of Rumplestiltskin filled with intrigue, romance, and a heroine who refuses to be anyone’s pawn.

Perfect for fans of fairy tale retellings, historical fantasy, and stories where wit and courage are the strongest magic of all.

Originally included in the anthology Magic and Miracles.