The Duke Disaster (The League of Extraordinary Widows Book 1)

The Duke of Hartwood is a precise, exacting man who demands perfection from his family, the prestigious Barnes family. When his distant cousin's widow, Celia Barnes, begins scandalizing London with outlandish behavior and threatening the family's reputation, Hartwood is called upon to intervene. After a lonely marriage, Celia has found independence as a widow and vows never to marry again. She enjoys her newfound freedom and takes pleasure in defying the priggish Barnes family. When Hartwood unexpectedly confronts her in her bedroom, demanding she stop embarrassing his family, Celia resists—she has never responded well to authority, despite finding him attractive. Initially bound by mutual dislike, a heated kiss and a carriage ride change everything between them. Their antagonism transforms into unexpected passion, creating a connection strong enough to threaten them both.