Second Duke's the Charm - (Her Majesty's Rebels) by Kate Bateman (Paperback)

About the Book

"The wedding-night death of her much older husband and one tiny lie left Tess Townsend the Dowager Duchess of Wansford. Now she and her two best friends run King & Co, London's most discreet investigative agency. Longing to taste the physical pleasure she's never experienced but unwilling to risk her hard-won independence by marrying again, she realizes a scandalous offer from the handsome new Duke could be the answer to her prayers... Cynical shipping magnate Justin Thornton never expected to inherit a dukedom, but he'll do his duty. He'll marry some suitable chit, set the duchy to rights, and return to his old life within the year. So when the ravishing woman he kissed at a party turns out to be the Dowager Duchess, Justin makes the most logical suggestion: a year-long marriage of convenience and passion that will suit them both. The attraction that sparks between them is undeniable, but as Tess works on a new case at the behest of Queen Charlotte, her increasingly suspicious behavior makes Justin question her motives and her past. The infuriating woman clearly can't be trusted, but Justin doesn't believe in love, so there's absolutely no danger of him falling for his own wife...is there?--

Book Synopsis

Meet Her Majesty's Rebels: three brilliant women who run King & Co., London's most exclusive investigative agency...

The wedding-night death of her much older husband left Tess Townsend the Dowager Duchess of Wansford--and still a virgin. Now she and her two best friends investigate London's most scandalous crimes, and while Tess longs to experience physical pleasure for herself, she can't risk losing her treasured independence...

Cynical shipping magnate Justin Thornton never expected to inherit a dukedom, but he'll do his duty. When the ravishing woman he kissed at a party turns out to be the Dowager Duchess, Justin sees an obvious solution: a marriage of convenience that will suit them both.

But the passion that sparks between them is anything but convenient. As Tess works on a new case at the request of Queen Charlotte, her increasingly suspicious behavior makes Justin question her motives--and her past. The infuriating woman clearly can't be trusted, but Justin doesn't believe in love, so there's absolutely no danger of him falling for his own wife...is there?

Review Quotes

"The lovers' banter crackles and their sexual chemistry burns up the pages...The camaraderie between Tess, Ellie, and Daisy as they flaunt the status quo is delightful and spells good things for future installments." - Publishers Weekly

"Don't miss the first book in this new series by Kate Bateman."--Romance Reviews Today

"A fun read from start to finish."--Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Kate Bateman, (also writing as K. C. Bateman), is a bestselling author of historical romances, including her RITA(R) nominated Renaissance romp, The Devil To Pay, the Bow Street Bachelors series (This Earl of Mine, To Catch an Earl, and The Princess and the Rogue), along with the novels in the Secrets & Spies series (To Steal a Heart, A Raven's Heart, and A Counterfeit Heart). When not writing novels that feature feisty, intelligent heroines and sexy, snarky heroes you want to both strangle and kiss, Kate works as a fine art appraiser and on-screen antiques expert for several popular TV shows in the UK. She splits her time between Illinois and her native England. Follow her on Twitter to learn more.