A Solitary Duke

Miss Lucy Armitage considers herself a modern young lady. She is not interested in new gowns, attending balls or seeking a suitable husband. Therefore, when Lord Stanfield, her papa, purchases a magnificent property a few miles from Margate, she is delighted. Her favourite pastimes are being governess to her young siblings and raking about the countryside with her massive wolfhound, Sydney. Her freedom to behave as she wishes will be greater away from the constant scrutiny of their neighbours.

Edwin Gilbert, Duke of Rochester, lost his beloved wife in childbed three years ago and now lives a solitary life in a house overlooking the sea at Margate. His mother is determined to find him another wife, and he is equally determined to avoid matrimony.

When Lucy and Edwin meet accidentally, they take an instant dislike to each other. The situation is not improved by her wolfhound taking a lump out of his thigh. Circumstances force them both to attend a ball at the local assembly rooms, and everything changes between them.

Edwin realises that, against his better judgement, he is now hopelessly in love with this unruly girl. He is determined to persuade her that she would make him the perfect duchess and cannot understand why she hesitates.

He makes a catastrophic error which loses him the woman he loves. Can he somehow win her back before another steals her heart?