Never Desire a Duke: The Neverhartts, #6

By Dawn Brower

Miss Amelia Halsey is firmly on the shelf. In her first season, she'd had one offer. One she found repulsive, and thankfully her brother had refused. Now ten years later she decides it's time to give in to her one desire. She fell in love with the Duke of Darling, but he didn't notice her. At the yearly masquerade, Amelia decides she's going to try her hand at seduction, and the Duke of Darling is her gentleman of choice. If a lady is going to have one affair it might as well be with the man of her dreams after all...

 

Grant Barrett, the Duke of Darling, doesn't wish to marry, but thinks perhaps it's time he does. His title demands it, and so does his meddling mother. An enchanting lady with golden hair and mischievous banter lures him away from the masquerade for a tantalizing interlude. Much to his frustration she disappears when the bell sounds to remove their masks. He believes he's finally met the woman destined to be his duchess. If only he had any way of discovering her name to ask her...

• Language: English
• Publisher: MG Press
• Release date: Aug 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393049012

Book preview

Never Desire a Duke

Never Desire a Duke

Never Desire a Duke

Neverhartts Book Six

Dawn Brower

For Victoria. You’re the only reason this book exists so it seems fitting it should be dedicated to you. ;)

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Never Desire a Duke © 2021 Dawn Brower

Cover art by Midnight Muse

Edits by Victoria Miller

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

She was one of those, who, having, once begun, would be always in love

Jane Austen, Emma

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Epilogue

About The Author

Also by Dawn Brower

Acknowledgments

Excerpt: Loving My Wicked Rogue

Prologue

Chapter 1

Excerpt: Forever My Earl

Prologue

Chapter 1

Prologue

Miss Amelia Halsey stared out at the dance floor and frowned. This was her comeout ball, and she was a wallflower. Could her life get any sadder? She should be the belle of the ball. Gentlemen should vie for her attention, or at the very least, ask to sign her dance card.

She looked at the card.

It wasn’t blank, but it might as well be. There was only one signature on it, and it was Ezra’s. Her brother. He'd led her out for the first dance, and everyone had been riveted. The marriage-minded mamas were, anyway... They eyed her older brother and his title. None of them had any use for her. They hoped to snare a wily viscount for their daughters.

They were all fools. Ezra was not so easily attained, and anyone with a head on their shoulders should realize that. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop any of them from trying. The entire ton overlooked her, but they all clamored toward her brother. Viscount Carrolton was far more interesting than his little sister.

It would take someone special to catch Ezra’s attention, and none of the eligible ladies in attendance came close...

She sighed. Perhaps she should give up. She doubted anyone would notice if she disappeared. Why suffer even a moment longer than she had to? Amelia could go to her bedchamber and read. That sounded far more enjoyable than watching people dance. She wasn’t even certain if she wanted to dance herself. Amelia wasn’t the most proficient dancer, and she often stepped on her partner’s toes. That might explain her empty dance card. No gentleman was brave enough to escort her to the floor when she abused them so mercilessly.

Amelia glanced around the room once more. She tried to find Ezra, but he seemed to have disappeared. He had probably found a married lady to spend some time with. She wasn’t a fool. Ezra was a notorious rake and didn’t apologize for it. That was also one of the reasons he was so unattainable.

It was definitely time to give up. If Ezra wasn’t even in the room, she had no reason to stay. No one would stop her, and she couldn’t stand it one second longer. The ennui was enough to drive her mad, and she had no desire to become a resident of Bedlam. She sighed again and slid through one of the balcony doors. She could slip into the garden for a little while and enjoy the fresh air. It had become stifling in the ballroom.

She went down the stairs and entered the garden. There was a bench in the center, surrounded by rose bushes. It was her favorite part of the garden and she often went there. Especially on days she felt particularly melancholy. It had not been a perfect night. In fact, it hadn’t even come close. She feared nothing would save it now, and she should consider it a total failure.

You’re lovely, a gentleman said. His voice was husky as he spoke. It rolled over like warm brandy on a cold evening. Amelia shivered involuntarily. Who was that?

He could not be talking to her... The gentleman probably didn’t even know she was there. Which meant it was more likely that another female was in the garden, and they were having some sort of tryst. She should turn around and go back inside, but she couldn’t seem to make herself move.

You are so kind, Your Grace, a lady said, then giggled.

Amelia rolled her eyes. The lady sounded so childish. If she ever had the attention of a gentleman, she hoped she wouldn’t be a complete fool. Though she had learned something from the simpering woman. Amelia couldn’t help overhearing the ‘Your Grace’ inferring that the woman was in the company of a duke. But the real question was—which one?

There were not too many available dukes. Her brother’s friend, the Duke of Graystone, had recently married. The other eligible duke, that she was aware of, she hadn’t even glimpsed at the ball, and doubted she would now. It wouldn’t do anyone any good for her to be noticed. The last thing she needed was to be caught in the middle of some sort of scandal.

I am not kind, the duke disagreed. I speak the truth. He sighed. However, I must insist you go back inside. If your husband finds you here, he’ll want to challenge me, and I fear that won’t end well for either of us.

Amelia smirked. He was a rogue—like her brother. She should be disgusted, but it only intrigued her more. Amelia had to know who it was, and if the lady was departing, perhaps she could catch a glimpse of the duke. She slid behind some foliage and hid. Once the lady walked past, she would crawl back out.

If you insist, the lady replied in a petulant tone. I could have given you so much...pleasure.

Amelia nearly choked. She definitely didn’t need to witness that.

Another time, he replied smoothly. When we’re less likely to be caught.

I’ll hold you to that, the lady said.

Silence greeted Amelia. She didn’t know what they were doing now, and she didn’t want to either. Footsteps echoed back to her, and she slid back farther into the foliage. After several moments, she skimmed out and promptly fell on her face. Amelia never claimed to have grace... She rolled over and sat on her backside. She blew out a breath to push her hair out of her face.

Are you all right? The duke was definitely still there. His tone was laced with amusement, and Amelia hated herself. Slowly, she turned her head and met his gaze. She sucked in a breath. Heavens, she’d never seen a more handsome man... And she thanked the good lord that there was enough moonlight to appreciate him.

He had blond hair streaked with gold. It was on the long side, and a stray strand fell over his forehead. The duke reached over and tucked it behind his ear. She wished she could have done that. Amelia wanted to reach out and touch him, to see if he was real. He had the most beautiful face. High chiseled cheekbones, plump, kissable lips, and his eyes...

She narrowed her gaze... Those eyes were mesmerizing. It was too dark to get an accurate look at the color, but if she had to guess, they were the color of good Scottish whisky. Somehow, she would have to find a way to answer him. What had he asked her before, glancing at him stupefied her? Oh, that’s right...he wanted to know if she was all right. Was she? Amelia didn’t think she’d ever think clearly again when he was near. I... She swallowed hard. I think I am.

Drat. Amelia sounded like a bigger fool than the insipid lady from his tryst.

You don’t sound certain, he said. The duke held out his hand to her. Let me help you.

She placed her hand in his and frowned. The warmth from his touch spread through her and made her entire body come to life. Was this what it was like when a person fell in love? Surely that was what she felt. There was such a thing as love at first sight, and Amelia definitely had fallen hard.

Once she was on her feet, she brushed down her skirts. No, she told him. I really am all right. She should stop talking. Everything that came out of her mouth seemed to make it worse.

His lips twitched. I won’t keep asking then.

Thank you, she blurted out. For your concern.

Think nothing of it. He winked. She nearly gasped at his audacity. But she also liked it. Was he flirting with her? I didn’t see you, and you didn’t see me.

She tilted her head to the side. Even if I did, I couldn’t tell anyone anything.

Why not? He said in a confused tone. He tilted his head to the side as he studied her. Amelia didn’t blame him. She didn’t seem to make much sense at the moment.

I don’t know who you are, she explained. How would I tell anyone about you?

He laughed. I am the Duke of Darling, he told her. But I like you, so you can call me Grant.

The duke lifted her hand and kissed her palm. Have a wonderful night, my lady.

Then, with those words, he sauntered off, leaving Amelia a puddle of mush. She couldn’t move, and her only thought was... he’s perfect. I didn’t tell him my name, she whispered to herself. How ever will he find me?

She waited weeks, and that had turned into months. Still, she'd had hope he searched for her. But, as it turned out, she’d been wrong about him. The Duke of Darling was a charmer, and to her knowledge, had never tried to find her. When they had crossed paths, he seemed to look right through her, and Amelia feared if she had addressed him as Grant, he’d have been offended. That night had meant everything to her, but it had been meaningless to him. Sometimes love wasn’t meant to be returned, and she had learned a valuable lesson.

Never desire a duke...at least not the Duke of Darling. No one was more incapable of love than Darling. He didn’t have a heart, and he didn’t care if he broke one. The duke didn’t deserve her love. If only her heart could listen to reason…

Chapter 1

Ten years later...

Miss Amelia Halsey was firmly on the shelf. It was time for her to accept her fate. Spinsterhood was her