Her Night with the Duke

Mutual pining is the driving force behind the sensual, unputdownable Regency romance that launches Quincy’s Clandestine Affairs series (after the Rebellious Brides series). Delilah Chambers takes refuge from a storm at the Black Swan Inn, but is denied a room because she is of Arab descent. Fellow inn guest Elliot Townsend comes to her rescue from a group of drunken harassers—not that the knife-wielding beauty needs his help. Elliot offers to share his room with the sumptuous Delilah, and, though he is soon-to-be-engaged, the pair share a passionate, impulsive night of sex and conversation. But upon returning to London, Elliot learns that Delilah is the Countess of Devon and Delilah realizes Elliot is the Duke of Huntington—and he’s staying with her family to court her beloved stepdaughter, Victoria. The two awkwardly tiptoe around each other attempting to put their feelings aside. Elliot needs a respectable wife to restore his family’s reputation, while Delilah lives a life of far-flung travels that she has no plans of giving up. Their longing for but mutual avoidance of each other provides delicious torture throughout. Sexy, romantic, and unexpectedly contemporary in its approach, this is sure to win over readers with its spitfire heroine and humble hero. Agent: Kevin Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Sept.)