Effie has exactly one chance to save her future.

It involves luring the gentleman she loves into the library... and kissing him.

After all, what honourable gentleman could possibly refuse to propose?

But the gentleman who enters the library at the stroke of midnight, is not Charles.

It is the one man she dislikes more than any other:

The arrogant, brooding Duke of Silverthorn.

Charless cousin.

Rather than exposing her disastrous scheme, the Duke suggests a far more dangerous one.

There is, however, a catch.

Several catches, in fact.

His most outrageous condition?

Effie must accompany him to the countryside for an entire weekend and pretend to be his fiancée, fulfilling what may well be his elderly aunts dearest wish.

One reluctant "yes" later, she finds herself wrapped in a breathtaking gown, travelling in his magnificent carriage towards the secluded country estate.

No one will ever find out.

Certainly not Sir Charles.

The aunt welcomes Effie as a miracle sent from the heavens.

The Duke proves alarmingly convincing in the role of devoted fiancé. Before long, he is behaving exactly like a man in love, making it increasingly difficult to remember it is all merely pretence.

Especially once Sir Charles finally begins to notice Effie...

...and the wrong gentleman becomes impossible to forget.

Charming witty irresistible. A pretend engagement, a weekend in the country and a duke she really ought to despise. A standalone Regency romance with a guaranteed happy ending. For adult readers only.