A Duke Always Series by Rebecca Leigh

Ian McDonough, Duke of Sunbridge and Chieftain of Clan McDonough of Scotland was growing tired of London and his search for a wife had become tedious. His mother's insistence that he find an English bride was the only reason he had returned to London for the season... moreIan McDonough, Duke of Sunbridge and Chieftain of Clan McDonough of Scotland was growing tired of London and his search for a wife had become tedious. His mother's insistence that he find an English bride was the only reason he had returned to London for the season. While he did enjoy spending time with his friends at the famous gaming establishment, The Devil's Lair, and visiting with his English cousins, the Duke and Duchess of Hawksford, the responsibilities of his clan were bearing down on him and he knew that it would soon be time to return to his home in the Scottish Highlands with or without an English bride.That is until a flash of blue silk and a daring young lady caught his attention.Emma Presley was visiting London with her uncle and aunt. As a young girl from the small village of Somerset, she hoped London would add some excitement to her rather dull life and she was ready to embrace whatever the ton had in store for her.When a large handsome Scot crossed her path, she had no idea that her adventures were just beginning.Ian had never met a woman that drove him mad the way that Emma did. She was beautiful, intelligent, impetuous, and had no idea how dangerous her impulsive nature could be. In the short time he knows her, she creates a sensation that sends the ton into a frenzy, even the prince is fascinated with her. Now he finds himself rescuing her from one situation after another.He had never felt such intense desire for a woman before. So, when he is faced with losing her, he knows he will do everything in his power to claim her as his duchess, regardless of anyone else's opinion on the matter, including Emma's.Emma knew she was not the woman Ian needed. She didn't have a dowry, familial connections, or any if the superior graces one needed to possess for such a lofty position. But she loved him, and because she loved him, she had to give him the freedom to choose a lady more suitable to his status. But she had no idea the lengths he would go to claim her, to take the woman he loved as his own.When Emma disappeared, Ian decided it was time for him to put aside the fine manners of an English duke and embrace the fierce Scottish warrior inside him. And when he found his runaway betrothed, he would claim her, despite her protests. less

Sophie Pettigrew was in dire straits. Her brother, Edward, had been in London living the high life since he came into his title of Viscount Litchfield after the death of their father. Now, he had gambled and lost everything. The only thing Sophie had left in this world was a derelict old crumbling down abbey and a small allowance left to her by her mother which was barely enough to buy food. She was desperate and desperate times called for desperate measures... moreSophie Pettigrew was in dire straits. Her brother, Edward, had been in London living the high life since he came into his title of Viscount Litchfield after the death of their father. Now, he had gambled and lost everything. The only thing Sophie had left in this world was a derelict old crumbling down abbey and a small allowance left to her by her mother which was barely enough to buy food. She was desperate and desperate times called for desperate measures.When Sophie walked into the famous gaming house, The Devil's Lair, to plead with Mr. Benedict Kingston, the proprietor, not to allow her brother to gamble away the only thing she had left, there was no way she could imagine how that night would change her life.Benedict Kingston normally didn't get involved in the personal problems of the men that gambled and lost at The Lair. But when the beautiful and enticing Sophie Pettigrew walked into his apartments to plead with him to never allow her brother to gamble there again, he couldn't help but be intrigued by her beauty and curious about her circumstances. When he discovered the despicable plans her brother had for her, he couldn't stand by and watch something so lovely be hurt by the one person who should have been protecting her. After Benedict found himself thrust into a position of power and prominence he never aspired to, the proposal he had for Sophie was the perfect solution to both of their problems.Sophie had not expected to see Benedict Kingston again after that night she visited him at The Devil's Lair, but when he offered her a proposal that would be beneficial to them both, how could she refuse? If she could just somehow manage to resist his charming smile and wicked suggestions, then one day she would have the freedom to live her life as she wanted and would be safe from her brother's schemes.By offering Sophie Pettigrew marriage, he was solving two problems. As his wife, he would be able to protect her from her brother and assuage his guilt in the hand he played in her brother's downfall, and Sophie being from a prominent aristocratic family, would be able to help him navigate the ton in ways he had previously been unable to do. It was the perfect solution, except that the more time he spent with the beautiful young Sophie, the more he realized it would be impossible to let her go and give her the freedom he had promised her.Just when Benedict realizes the futility of revisiting the charms of his beautiful wife, an unknown assailant fueled by jealousy and revenge tried to take it all away. Would Benedict be able to stop the culprit before Sophie was hurt or would his actions cause him to lose her forever? less