Lady Louisa Wentworth, who's well-born but has no dowry, realizes she will never receive a marriage offer. Unwilling to fade away in genteel poverty, Louisa takes the unusual step of offering her services as chaperone to one of the American heiresses who are flooding England and looking to buy a titled husband. Hired by the Rose family, Louisa takes her role seriously and steers her charges away from her brother and his friends. They may be titled, but they are also irresponsible womanizers.
Hawk, the Duke of Hawkhurst, an unrepentant rake, is the worst of her brother's friends. Louisa does not intend to promote his suit, especially when he causes her heart to flutter by just being near.
Hawk must marry a woman with a fortune and quickly. His credit is nonexistent and the situation at his home is becoming more difficult. Hawk's title should be irresistible to an American heiress if he can overcome the gossip about his behavior. The chase has always been the challenge. After his conquest, Hawk becomes bored and leaves. Those actions have made him a bad matrimonial risk. Hawk takes on Louisa, determined to have her help advance his suit, but Louisa proves to be a challenge and denies her aid.
As time runs out, Hawk attempts to trick a young heiress into marriage. His plan is foiled and instead he is found in a compromising situation with Louisa. Honor demands he marry Louisa, but what a coil. He must have money! Betrayal and the unfairness of the circumstances haunt Louisa and Hawk as they try to make their marriage work.
Ms. Heath continues her tradition of writing deeply intense romances that hook readers on the first page. The interplay between Louisa and Hawk is fascinating as false impressions and untruths fall away revealing their true selves. This compelling romance makes waiting for the sequel difficult.
A dashing duke. . . A wealthy heiress. . . An infuriating chaperone. . . A scandal that will leave one of the ladies with. . . A DUKE OF HER OWN Lady Louisa Wentworth knows she will never marry well—her family's impoverished estate has ensured as much. Resigned to spinsterhood, the proud beauty has agreed to chaperone a young American heiress who seeks a titled husband through the turbulent waters of London society. The dashing Duke of Hawkhurst must marry wealth for the sake of his family. This well-heeled young American, Miss Jenny Rose, would do quite nicely. But the girl's infuriating chaperone seems determined to keep them apart. And worse still, Hawk finds himself far more attracted to the intoxicating Lady Louisa than to her innocent charge! A romantic subterfuge is called for—as desperate Hawk plots to draw the heiress into a compromising position, making marriage a necessity. But when it's lovely Louisa instead who falls into his sensuous web, this game of hearts takes a passionate and most unexpected turn. . .
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