The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke, #1)

by Tessa Dare

“I beg your pardon, Your Grace. I must have misheard.” “I said I will make you a duchess.” “Surely . . . surely you don’t mean through marriage.” “No, I intend to use my vast influence in the House of Lords to overturn the laws of primogeniture, then persuade the Prince Regent to create a new title and duchy. That accomplished, I will convince him to name a vicar’s daughter from Hertfordshire a duchess in her own right. Of course I mean through marriage, Miss Gladstone.” She gave a strained laugh. Laughter seemed the only possible response. He had to be joking. “You can’t be asking me to marry you.” He sighed with annoyance. “I am a duke. I’m not asking you to marry me. I am offering to marry you. It’s a different thing entirely.” She opened her mouth, only to close it again. “I need an heir,” he said. “That is the thrust of the matter.”