Merely a Miss — Catherine Gayle

Miss Jane Matthews feels completely out of place amongst the finery of the ton. She's the daughter of a country vicar, for goodness sake, and nearly a spinster to boot. Frankly, she would prefer to stay that way. How can a lady of Quality start up her own modiste shop, after all? But when her distant cousin -- the Dowager Duchess of Somerton, of all people -- offers to sponsor her for a Season in London, she agrees, but only so she can take the opportunity to search for a storefront for her business. Perhaps, in that regard, the Season won't all be in vain. The widower of a loveless marriage, Peter Hardwicke, the Duke of Somerton, has already done his duty and provided an heir for his dukedom, so he sees no reason whatsoever to remarry. Even if, heaven forbid, something should happen to his son, he still has three younger brothers who are each quite capable of inheriting. Taking a wife would only mean adding a new responsibility to his already too-full schedule. He's more than busy enough keeping his mother, siblings, and children in line -- not to mention sorting out the myriad problems plaguing one of his estates. But when Lord Utley, one of Peter's childhood friends and a man who has been on the wrong side of Peter's ire for many years now, takes an unlikely interest in Jane, he has to intervene. Peter will be damned if he'll allow Utley to ruin yet another life. But will rescuing Jane from Utley's clutches land Peter with another loveless marriage?