When the Duke Loved Me

Lloyd’s immersive Regency debut and Rake Chronicles series launch begins in 1808, when John Breminster shares a kiss with Catherine Forster at a party. Their romantic moment abruptly shatters, however, when they learn each other’s names, the Forsters and the Breminsters having been sworn enemies ever since an affair between Catherine’s aunt and John’s father brought disgrace on both families. Seven years later, John, now the duke of Edington, seeks Catherine’s help: his father’s will requires him to find her aunt and have her accept an annuity. Catherine is near destitute, making ends meet by selling articles to newspapers using a male pseudonym, so she agrees to help track down the aunt she hasn’t heard from in years in exchange for £10,000. As the pair travel from London to Dorset, posing as a couple on the road for propriety’s sake, their long dormant desire reignites. Lloyd adds depth to Catherine and John’s forbidden attraction by gradually revealing their most appealing characteristics, especially their kindness towards others, propelling the sexual tension between them into a more enduring love. This sizzling historical promises good things from the series to come. Agent: Kathryn Green, Kathryn Green Literary. (Sept.)