Simon Basset the irresistible Duke of Hastings has hatched a plan to keep himself free from the towns marriageminded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to the lovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all it isnt as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry though there is something about the alluring Miss Bridgerton that sets Simons heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne surely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her des ...