It Had to Be a Duke
A Novel
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4.5 • 4 Ratings
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- £3.49
Publisher Description
USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret launches a new series with a sparkling romance about a spinster, a duke, and a fake engagement that blurs the lines between enemies and lovers…
Verity Hartley always tells the truth. Well, mostly. However, when her snooty neighbor returns to their small hamlet to brag about having a grand Season, a plethora of ballgowns, and so many suitors that she cannot possibly decide which one to marry, Verity tells a lie. She claims to be betrothed. To a duke. Who happens to be her family’s sworn enemy. But what are the odds that he would ever learn of this one, little, harmless falsehood?
Magnus Warring, the Duke of Longhurst, is on the precipice of marrying an heiress to save his estate from financial ruin. At least, he was. Until he hears an unbelievable rumor that he is already betrothed. To the daughter of a liar, cheat, and swindler! Needing to protect his reputation, he hunts down the culprit. And when he finds the untamed beguiler, she has the audacity to ask him to lie for her. To pretend to be her fiancé!
One week, that’s all Verity needs. Then Magnus can return to his life. But nothing is ever that simple. Sometimes it doesn’t take that long to fall in love, even with the enemy.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Lorret (Never Seduce a Duke) launches the Liar's Club series with a scintillating fake fiancé romance in Regency England. Verity Hartley is a spinster "teetering on the abyss of six and twenty." For the most part, she's accepted her fate, but when her obnoxious neighbor gloats about having numerous suitors vying for her hand, Verity blurts out a lie to shut her up; she says she's engaged to Magnus Warring, the fifth Duke of Longhurst. He's the most impressive man she can think of on the spot, and though their families are old enemies, she believes her deceit to be harmless. Magnus, for his part, is in London, desperately trying to marry an heiress to bolster the dukedom's flagging coffers. After his potential betrothal is jeopardized when whispers of Verity's lie spread to London, he heads to the country to confront her—but instead ends up begrudgingly agreeing to participate in her deception for a week. As the unlikely pair fake an engagement, their witty verbal sparring gives way to intense chemistry that they try and fail to resist. ("I would appreciate it if you wouldn't curse every time you've finished kissing me." "Me? You're the one who started it this time.") But given the complicated history between their families and Magnus's need to marry for money, does their romance stand a chance? With big emotions, sensual love scenes, and endearing protagonists, this is sure to win hearts.
