The Duke And I

The irresistible Duke of Hastings has hatched a plan to keep himself free fromthe towns marriageminded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to thelovely D... » 

The irresistible Duke of Hastings has hatched a plan to keep himself free fromthe towns marriageminded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to thelovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all it isnt as if the brooding rogue has anyreal plans to marry though there is something about the alluring MissBridgerton that sets the Dukes heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphnesurely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that isseems a duke has declared her desirable. But as Daphne waltzes across ballroomafter ballroom with her fiance she soon forgets that their courtship is acomplete sham. And now she has to do the impossible and keep herself fromlosing her heart and soul completely to the handsome hellraiser who has swornoff marriage forever.After enduring two seasons in London Daphne Bridgerton is no longer nave enough to believe she will be able to marry for love. But is it really too much to hope for a husband for whom she at least has some affection? Her brothers old school friend Simon Bassett the new Duke of Hastings has no intention of ever marrying. However newly returned to England he finds himself the target of the many marriageminded society mothers who remain convinced that reformed rakes make the best husbands. To deflect their attention the handsome hellraiser proposes to Daphne that they pretend an attachment. In return his interest in Daphne will ensure she becomes the belle of London society with suitors beating a path to her door. Theres just one problem Daphne is now in danger of falling for a man who has no intention of making their charade a reality. «