The Secret Duke

Phillip Contel had a past which made him want to be loved for himself. When he returned from India, he was bringing news of his father's death to his older brother, the new Lord Hawling, but he also wished to enter society again and find himself a wife and reacquaint himself with old friends. Miss Sarah Mathon had a desire to have financial stability, she was an orphan and had been relying on her extended family for everything ever since. She wanted her own home, her own family, and an ability to clothe herself without feeling guilty for how much it costed her extended family. She needed to marry a wealthy gentleman. She found him in the Duke of Harding, who was titled and wealthy, but who owned a secret. For Sarah, Mr Phillip Contel was a bad distraction since he was a younger son and had no wealth, but she could not ignore the attraction she felt for him. Phillip knew without a doubt that he would marry Sarah, but when she announced her engagement to the Duke of Harding, suddenly he doubted. . .