To Be a Duke

By Jessie Clever

Alec Black, the Earl of Stryden, sees the inevitable and does his damnedest to ignore it. 

When another crop infestation at the family’s estate in Bedford collides with a promotion from the War Office, Alec is torn between his duty to his heritage and his duty to the crown. Matters become more complicated when his nephew, Samuel, demands of him a seemingly outrageous and impossible favor that relies on Alec’s seat in the House of Lords.

But when a common footpad threatens his wife, Sarah, Alec must face what it really means to one day be a duke.

To Be a Duke is the second short story in the fast-paced, thrilling historical romance Spy Series Short Stories, which picks up where the gripping, historical romance Spy Series concluded. If you love heart-stopping romance, spellbinding intrigue, and unexpected danger, don’t miss this captivating short story series from bestselling author Jessie Clever. Unlock romance and adventure when you pick up your copy of To Be a Duke today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Someday Lady Publishing LLC
• Release date: Jun 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9780990702443

Book preview

To Be a Duke

To Be a Duke

Jessie Clever

Someday Lady Publishing, LLC

Copyright © 2015 by Jessica McQuaid

All rights reserved.

Published by Someday Lady Publishing, LLC

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

ISBN-13: 978-0-9907024-4-3

Cover Design by The Killion Group

For Mrs. Butts

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To Be a Duke

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To Be a Duke

April 1826

London

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You are not at all concerned your wife will find out?

Alec stood in the bedchamber of one of London’s most refined and most adventurous widows and casually replaced the stopper in the decanter of brandy. He set it carefully down on the gold-plated tray that seemed rather ostentatious even to him. Lady Hilary Hunisett had a reputation for ostentatiousness though, and he supposed the tray was simply indicative of the rumors circulating about the ton.

My wife? Alec said, turning to the woman now.

Lady Hunisett’s robe was tied loosely at the waist, its soft folds of silk accentuating the exposed expanse of her bosom. She was in rather good condition for her age and hedonistic lifestyle. Alec would have thought the woman’s drinking, poor eating habits, and reckless living would have taken their toll. But her skin was still firm and flawless, a porcelain white against the red silk of her night rail peeking out from under her robe.

Hilary Hunisett had been a catch during her season twenty years ago, or at least that was what Jane had told him. Alec wouldn’t have doubted it. It seemed the woman was still accustomed to such attention. Attention