The Design of Dukes

TITLE: The Design of Dukes

SERIES: The Beautiful Barringtons #2

AUTHOR: Kathleen Ayers

RATING: 

STEAM: 

THE SYNOPSIS

Lady Andromeda Barrington is the most unsuitable young lady in London.

At least in the Duke of Granby’s opinion. Granby doesn’t care for bastard relatives or tainted pedigrees and Andromeda possesses both. Nor does he like opinionated young ladies who enjoy hurling insults in his direction. Andromeda is, in short, the most annoying creature he’s ever met. When she arrives, uninvited, to a house party given at his estate, Granby can’t decide whether to kiss Andromeda senseless or send her packing.

Andromeda is the victim of infatuation and bad luck.

The infatuation is that of her sister for the Earl of Blythe, but the misfortune belongs solely to Andromeda after she is forced to attend a house party hosted by the Duke of Granby. She and the duke are previously, unpleasantly, acquainted. The entire party is bound to be awkward, and their mutual dislike difficult to hide. Her only recourse is to avoid the giant block of ice masquerading as a duke. Thankfully, Granby’s estate is enormous. But instead of mutual hostility upon arriving, Romy is greeted with unexpected attraction. Insults turn into flirtation. Heated discussions become lingering kisses.

Her heart is ruined. Granby may not even have one.

And the duke has already chosen another young lady to be his duchess.

THE HEROINE

Andromeda is the daughter of a scandalous duke and a ladies companion turned duchess and a sister to a bastard brother, and a notorious rake who together own a famous gambling hell. All of which make her an unsuitable, risky bride for the Duke of Granby. But, none of that bothers Romy and she adores her family! She loves to design clothes for the ton and secretly works with a modiste friend to discreetly turn her sketches into wardrobes for the Ton. She also says what she thinks and has a bit of a temper!

THE HERO

David Warburton, the Duke of Granby, is a self-righteous, pompous duke who looks down his nose at just about everybody. His father was a horrible man and Granby's mother ran away when he was just a child, leaving him to be cruelly raised by his father. Even knowing what a horrible person his father was, Granby has ingrained in him the need for propriety, marrying the perfect, flawless duchess, and carrying on the Granby legacy. 

He knew she was unsuitable, for a multitude of reasons beginning with her bastard brother and ending with a low-born mother. But Andromeda was the only thing which filled the huge, gaping maw within him. She was the promise of happiness. He would never embrace her family or completely put aside his views, but David was willing to overlook a great deal to have her. It was the best compromise he was capable of.

THE PLOT

David and Romy butt heads from the first time they meet, but, Romy finds him intriguing and Granby can’t stop wanting her. So when Romy shows up at a house party at his estate, she is ready to avoid him. However, Granby makes no secret of his desire for her and slowly their banter turns into desire. Although the Duke is willing to overlook her flaws to make her his duchess, he has no intention of her keeping contact with her scandalous family or continuing with her passion of designing clothes. When Romy realizes that he wants her, but isn’t willing to love all of her, flaws  and all, she refuses to settle for nothing less. Granby must come to terms with his past and his family if he is ever going to keep Romy for himself! 

“You think I don’t love you.” She bit her lip, vowing not to start weeping. “Andromeda.” He took her hands and pressed them to his lips. “Did you ever seek to translate the words I spoke to you that night in the study? Sei tutto per me. You are everything to me.” “I will be difficult. Cold, at times. I’ll scowl. Demand. Expect obedience, though I know you’ll never give it. We will argue, a lot, I imagine. But you must never doubt how much I love you.” He placed her hand over his heart. “It beats for nothing and no one else but you, Andromeda Barrington.” “David,” she sobbed. “You love me.” “Of course I do. Haven’t you been listening?”

TROPES

Historical Romance, Regency Era, House Party, Ton Society, Alpha Hero, Grumpy Hero, Titled Hero, Artist Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Outdoor Steam, Desk Steam, Slow Burn, Enemies to Lovers, Sunshine/Grump, Forced Proximity, Five Star, Three Flame

HistoricalRomance, RegencyEra, HouseParty, TonSociety, AlphaHero, GrumpyHero, TitledHero, ArtistHeroine, VirginHeroine, OutdoorSteam, DeskSteam, SlowBurn, EnemiestoLovers, Sunshine/Grump, ForcedProximity, FiveStar, ThreeFlame