The Duke and I
- 408 pages
- 15 hours of reading
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn comes the first novel in her beloved Regency series featuring the charming Bridgerton family, soon to be a Netflix series. In the ballrooms of Regency London, strict social rules govern the lives of the aristocracy. Children learn the proper ways to address an earl or curtsey before a prince, while unspoken expectations loom large. A proper duke is expected to be aloof, and a marriageable lady should be amiable—but not too amiable. Daphne Bridgerton, the fourth of eight siblings, struggles with this balance. Well-liked for her kindness and wit, she finds that no one truly desires her, as her honesty keeps her from playing the romantic games that captivate gentlemen. Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, has returned to England determined to avoid marriage and society, having been emotionally scarred by his father's neglect. An unexpected encounter with Daphne, his best friend’s sister, leads to a proposal for a fake courtship. This arrangement allows Simon to fend off the matchmaking mamas, while boosting Daphne’s prospects and reputation. Initially, the plan works perfectly, but in the glittering, gossipy world of London’s elite, love proves to be a force that disregards all rules.
