The Dukes Prize

Reproduction of the original: The Duke's Prize by Maturin Murray Ballou

"A Story of Art and Heart in Florence." "The reader will find herein, that love raises the humblest; and that true merit, like true genius, tramples upon misfortunes; and that 'some falls are means the happier to rise.'"

A Classic Regency Romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Suzanne Enoch... Sent to London by her untrustworthy uncle, the beautiful and feisty Katherine Ralston arrives for the Season in utter despair. Not only is she caught up in the mad whirl of ballgowns and galas, she must also make certain that her disreputable uncle doesn’t sell her family estate in her absence. Katherine Ralston, a country girl at heart, sees the Season in London as something she must endure. Nicholas Varnon, known as the Black Duke for his rakish and irresistible charms, sees the season as a chance to repair his rakish reputation. Yet, he seems to be taking quite an interest in the spirited Katherine. Suspicious of trickery, Katherine is determined to ignore the sinfully sexy charms of...the Black Duke. Little does she know, she may have just met her white knight in shining armor...

The thought of the bare possibility of the connection as sanctioned by the duke, so embittered his feelings as to render him disagreeable to all about him. His conscious pride and self-interest both prompted him in this emergency; for in the case of Florinda's marrying Petro, as we have already intimated, there would be some important pecuniary interest of his own benefited thereby-and then his old aristocratic notions were shocked at the prospect of the plebeian match.