The Duke of Her Desire (Diamonds in the Rough Series #2)

by Sophie Barnes

Overview

He was only supposed to keep an eye on his friend’s sister . . . now he’s about to lose his heart . . .

When Thomas Heathmore, Duke of Coventry, agrees to steer his friend’s inexperienced younger sister through society, he doesn’t expect the lady in question to be so infernally stubborn. Amelia Matthews seems to have little interest in balls or suitors at all. Instead, she intends to open a school, and against his better instincts, Thomas offers to help. Yet somewhere along the line, Amelia ceases to be a simple responsibility . . . and becomes an undeniable temptation.

Since her brother inherited a dukedom, Amelia’s prospects have transformed. But though she’s long been secretly infatuated with Thomas, she refuses to heed the arrogant aristocrat’s advice. If only it were as easy to ignore his heated touch. And as Amelia soon learns, the ton is a minefield, where one moment’s indiscretion can unleash a scandal—or entice her to surrender everything to the duke of her desire . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062566799
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	12/26/2017
Series:	Diamonds in the Rough Series , #2
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	49,976
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Born in Denmark, USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She's lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian. But, most impressive of all, she's been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.

When she's not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.

Editorial Reviews

★ 10/09/2017
Barnes’s perfectly crafted second Diamonds in the Rough historical (after A Most Unlikely Duke) mixes romance and risk in Regency England. Thomas Augustus Heathmore, Duke of Coventry, agrees to watch over the Duke of Huntley’s sisters, Lady Amelia and Lady Juliette, while Huntley is away. The forthright and admirable Lady Amelia captures Thomas’s attention when he discovers her on a dangerous outing in the grimy neighborhood of St. Giles, where she has purchased a building to turn it into a school for poor children. Thomas realizes that Amelia, unlike the other women he knows, cares much more about how her wealth can benefit others than about how she might enjoy it herself. Amelia is also drawn to Thomas, who is interested in sponsoring groundbreaking legislation that would permit illegitimate children to inherit property and titles. Her lust for him runs up against his stoutly honorable intentions, and the sexual tension builds. Appealing protagonists, immense emotional intensity, and a thread of suspense combine to make this a standout. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

A charming sequel... Barnes creates early-18th-century characters that appeal to contemporary sensibilities without requiring strenuous suspension of disbelief. But this is still an entertainment—more Barbara Cartland than Elizabeth Gaskell—and there is real pleasure in seeing these characters joyfully united. Well-crafted characters and an inventive plot.” — Kirkus Reviews

“perfectly crafted... Appealing protagonists, immense emotional intensity, and a thread of suspense combine to make this a standout.”  — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

From the Publisher