The Duke I Once Knew: Unlikely Duchesses, Book 1

Drake (The Scandalous Flirt) delights with this scintillating historical romance series launch. Abby is no longer considered a young gentlewoman; she’s approaching her 30th birthday, still unwed. Rather than become a helpmeet for her siblings and their families, she strikes out on her own and takes a post as a governess at Rothwell Court, the ducal estate belonging to her childhood love. Max, Duke of Rothwell, has stayed away from the estate for 15 years, avoiding memories of his mother’s death and the ending of his love for Abby. Now an infamous rake, he returns home unexpectedly only to find that she’s the new governess for his young sister, Gwendolyn. What follows is an intricate dance with mischievous mistresses, troublesome socialites, and a pair of scorned lovers who both believe themselves to be the injured party. By equal measures endearing and sumptuous, with only a few overly tangled plot threads to its detriment, the novel immerses readers in a beautifully developed world. Agent: Nancy Yost, Nancy Yost Literary. (Jan.)