The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1)

by Julia Quinn

all eight possess similar bone structure and the same thick, chestnut hair.

“Read how that woman has maligned us.”

“How am I supposed to find you a husband while that woman is slandering your name?”

After nearly two seasons in London, the mere mention of the word husband was enough to set her temples pounding. She wanted to marry, truly she did, and she wasn’t even holding out for a true love match. But was it really too much to hope for a husband for whom one had at least some affection?

four men had asked for...

Four gentlemen have already asked for Daphne Bridgerton's hand. She turned them all down.

There were a number of men she thought might make reasonably good husbands, but the problem was—none of them was interested. Oh, they all liked her.

Everyone thought she was funny and kind and a quick wit, and no one thought her the least bit unattractive,

no one was dazzled by her beauty, stunned into speechlessness by her presence, or moved to...

No one seemed inclined to court someone like her. They all adored her, or so they said, because she was so easy to talk to, and she always seemed to understand how a man felt.

“Deuce take it, Daff, you’re just not like regular females. You’re positively normal.” Which she might have managed to consider a compliment if he hadn’t proceeded to wander off in search of the latest blond beauty.

“I’m sure Lady Whistledown’s little column is not going to hurt my chances for a husband.”

“Daphne, it’s been two years!”

“And Lady Whistledown has only been publishing for three months,

after Daphne she had three more daughters to marry off.

she’s the author of a scandal sheet.

“Whistledown, ha! I’ve never heard of any Whistledowns. Whoever this depraved woman is, I doubt she’s one of us. As if anyone of breeding would write such wicked lies.”

Did you think she was some sort of impostor, peeking in windows and listening at doors?”

“I should like to put her out of business once and for all.” “If you wish to put her out of business,” Daphne could not resist pointing out, “you shouldn’t support her by buying her newspaper.”

Fashionable London was positively addicted to Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers. The mysterious newspaper had arrived on the doorstep of every member of the ton three months earlier.

By the time she started forcing people to pay for their gossip, all the ton was addicted. Everyone forked over their pennies,

Whistledown—as it was now called—was a curious mix of commentary, social news, scathing insult, and the occasional compliment.

If Lady Whistledown wanted to write about someone, she used his full name. The ton declared themselves scandalized, but they were secretly fascinated.

and the Bridgertons always made a big fuss about birthdays. And with eight children, there were a lot of birthdays to celebrate.

You know that Mrs. Featherington has always looked dreadful in purple.”

The rake formerly known as Earl Clyvedon

Simon Basset was known as Earl Clyevdon. But then his father died, the title was then passed on to him. Simon became the new Duke of Hastings.

His grace has resided abroad for six years. Can it be any coincidence that he has returned only now that the old duke is dead?’”

Isn’t Clyvedon one of Anthony’s friends?”

Simon and Anthony, are good friends.

“He’s Hastings now,”

I do believe he and Anthony were friendly at Oxford. ...

“He was something of a hellion, if my memory serves. Always at o...

I’m fairly sure that Anthony said he took a first...

“He’s quite unsuitable for a young lady of your years is what he is.”

“Daphne Bridgerton, I don’t—” “—like my tone, I know.”

“It’s the curse of motherhood. You’re required to love us even when we vex you.”

her father had been more interested in hounds and hunting than he’d been in society affairs, but theirs had been a warm marriage, filled with love, laughter, and children.

“I’m happy to follow in your footsteps when it comes to marriage and children, Mother, just so long as I don’t have to have eight.”

Simon Basset, the new Duke of Hastings

His companion was none other than Anthony Bridgerton, Daphne’s eldest brother. The two cut a striking pair, both tall and athletic, with thick dark hair. But where Anthony’s eyes were the same deep c...

The two men had known each other for years,

Anthony was a good friend, just the sort a man would want by his side in a pinch. He’d been the first person Simon had looked up upon returning to England.

“Oh, but I suppose you’ll insist I call you Hastings now.”

“Hastings will always be my father. He never answered to anything else.” He paused. “I’ll assume his title if I must, but I won’t be called by his name.”

“Most men would not sound quite so resigned about the pros...

He’d spent his entire life not living up to his father’s expectations; it seemed ridiculous now to try to live up to his name. “It’s a damned burden is what it is,”

“But you are planning to attend Lady Danbury’s ball this week,” Anthony said. “Only because I am inexplicably fond of the old woman.

she was rather kind to me as a child. I spent a few school holidays at her house with Riverdale. Her nephew, you know.”

Lady Danbury was always kind, to Simon when he was young.

So you have no intention of entering society.

“Society mothers, you dolt. Those fire-breathing dragons with daughters of—God help us—marriageable age. You can run, but you’ll never manage to hide from them. And I should warn you, my own is the worst of the lot.”

“They will hunt you down. And when they find you, you will find yourself trapped in conversation with a pale young lady all dressed in white who cannot converse on topics other than the weather,

I’d avoid society functions like the plague. But my sister made her bow last year, and I’m forced to escort her from time to time.”