The Duke’s Secret Seduction

Book excerpt: From the author of Lord Haven’s Deception comes a Regency romance celebrating the witty and romantic world that fans of Georgette Heyer have fallen in love with. “Simpson excels at imbuing her realistic characters with subtle depths!”—John Charles, American Library Association Scarred and hardened by the betrayal of his late wife and his latest mistress, the Duke of Alban decides to withdraw from the depressing swirl of London for a trip to the north, where he can visit his beloved aunt and regain the composure that has deserted him. But his hopes for a serene retreat are dashed by the voluptuous beauty of Kittie Douglas, the young widow who serves as his aunt’s companion and stirs a deep longing—and a deep mistrust—within him. Kittie has long heard about the duke’s upstanding character and has imagined him to be a paragon of male virtue, but meeting the man leaves her with a distinctly different impression: though he’s strikingly handsome, his late wife’s duplicity has left him moody, taciturn, and even suspicious of her intentions where his well-to-do aunt is concerned. But perhaps most frustrating is that he’s blind to her own upright nature and tender inclinations, unaware that she harbors a deep wish to soothe his heart and make him whole again. As a war wages within Alban between his inability to trust Kittie and his overwhelming desire to possess her, she struggles to break through his bitter resolve, tempted all the while to abandon him and her hopes for a lasting romance. Until a startling revelation from Alban’s aunt shocks them both into realizing what’s at stake, and forces Alban to recognize that if he’s to have any chance at happiness, he’ll have to open his eyes—and his heart—to Kittie’s true beauty and the promise of unwavering love . . . This book was originally published as The Duke and Mrs. Douglas.