It Had To Be a Duke

Lorret (Never Seduce a Duke) begins a new series with this sprightly and fun fake-engagement tale that quickly deepens into a bit of a Cinderella/caper/family story. Verity Hartley is on the verge of becoming a spinster, the seemingly least beautiful and vibrant member of her notorious family. Pushed to the limit by a spiteful acquaintance, Verity manufactures an engagement to a duke. Too bad she picks Magnus Warring, the Duke of Longhurst, who loathes her family and is in the middle of a tricky engagement of his own to an heiress. To get them both out of the mess Verity has made, Magnus suggests a quick real engagement and an even quicker cry off. Once engaged, and much to their surprise, they discover each other and deepen their relationship. It is a lovely tumble and manages to be funny and serious at once. As the plot picks up and Verity and Magnus become enmeshed in decades-old secrets and plans, Lorret adds in more characters to set up the series.