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Two women, one refined and one ribald, set their sights on marrying the same duke, but instead of becoming natural enemies, they find themselves falling in love—though not with him.
Harriet Lockhart never planned to marry. The educated daughter of a high-class prostitute, Harry has spent her life defying expectations: playing male roles in bawdy Shakespearean productions on London''s seediest stages, pursuing the many women who adore her, and wearing whatever she pleases, so long as it''s well tailored—all while being subsidized by her late mother’s trust. When she is contacted out of the blue by her hitherto anonymous father, she finds herself at risk of losing the trust that
Emily Sergeant, on the other hand, has only ever wanted to marry. She is the modest, tea-sipping, soft-spoken Regency bride. And were it not for one mistake in her youth that rendered her a social pariah, she would be appropriately betrothed. Instead, she’s due to wed the only willing man in her small town: the abominable Robert Tweed. Desperate for an alternative, Emily flees to London for the summer to snag a less lecherous fiancé before she''s shackled to a scoundrel.
Worlds collide, dramatically and hilariously, when both women decide on the very same duke as their best possible chance at a tolerable husband and the security that he brings. A tongue-in-cheek romp through London''s summer season, from balls to brothels, horseraces to duels, Harry and Emily compete for the duke''s favor, only to find their true hearts'' desires may be more compatible than they ever could have predicted.
About the author
Mackenzi Lee
Summary
A BOOKPAGE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • Two women set their sights on marrying the same duke, but instead of becoming enemies, they find themselves falling in love—though not with him.
“My new favorite romance author.”—Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Bridgerton series
“A genuinely, strikingly funny romantic romp. I inhaled it!”—Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Great Big Beautiful Life
Harriet Lockhart never planned to marry. She has spent her life defying expectations, playing male roles on London’s seediest stages, and doing whatever she pleases. When Harry is contacted by her hitherto anonymous father, she finds herself at risk of losing the trust fund that’s subsidized her lifestyle—unless she begins to lead a more respectable life, starting with finding a husband.
Emily Sergeant, the picture of modesty, has only ever wanted to marry. And were it not for one mistake in her youth that rendered her a social pariah, she would be appropriately betrothed. Instead, she’s due to wed the only willing—and most abominable—man in her small town. Desperate for an alternative, Emily flees to London to snag a less lecherous fiancé.
Worlds collide, dramatically and hilariously, when both women decide on the very same duke as their best possible chance at a tolerable husband and a secure future. A tongue-in-cheek romp through London’s summer season, from balls to brothels, horseraces to duels, Harry and Emily compete for the duke’s favor, only to find their true hearts’ desires may be more compatible than they could have ever predicted.
