The Defiant Heart — Blanche Chenier

IT COULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT SCANDAL

Running away like that. An unchaperoned girl alone and on her own in the wicked world outside genteel society. But Evelina could not bear the thought of marrying a man she did not love. A marriage which her selfish aunt was forcing upon her. Anything was better than that. Even the crack on the head from the carriage accident which brought her to the attention of the charming and handsome Duke of Melfort.

He too was in full flight from romance -- from a very aggressive and destructive female who wanted to marry him.

Somehow he persuaded Evelina to pose as his cousin to protect him from that woman.

It would be the most extraordinary bargain ever. If they could keep up the masquerade...