Any Duchess Will Do

Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, finds his bachelor days under threat when his formidable mother orchestrates his abduction to 'Spinster Cove' with the sole purpose of finding him a bride. Resentful of the manipulation, Griff devises a rebellious plan: he'll choose Pauline Simms, the outspoken barmaid from the local inn, as his intended, certain her unsuitability will end the marriage debate for good. Pauline, dreaming of escaping her arduous life to open a bookshop, is offered a small fortune by the arrogant duke to play along. Her role is simple: endure his mother's 'duchess training' and fail spectacularly. However, once in London, Pauline proves to be anything but a failure. Her quick wit, resilience, and unexpected charm not only captivate society but, more importantly, ignite a profound desire in Griff and begin to heal the darkness within him. Now, the challenge isn't just navigating society's judgment of their mismatched stations, but for the roguish duke to convince the pragmatic barmaid to trust him with her heart, as their initial charade blossoms into an undeniable connection.