She's out to ensnare a villain, but captures a duke's heart instead.
A lady should never pursue a gentleman, nor write scathing exposés about him. Just because Charlotte 'Cherry' Lambe understands the rules of decorum doesn't mean she believes in following them. Enjoying the freedom offered by widowhood, she has dedicated herself to promoting the cause of vulnerable servant women in England, determined to set an example in courage for her young daughter. When she receives a tip from an anonymous source, one of the greatest perpetrators in London seems to have fallen right into her hands and she holds nothing back in putting his evil deeds into print.
Breaking News: The duke is a blackguard!
Ewan Orkney, the Duke of Crossley, is indisputably everything a duke should be—handsome, courteous, well-bred, and above-all, a man of honor. At least, Cross holds this reputation until a scandalous column is published decrying him as a murderer and the leader of an exploitive ring of powerful men. Humiliated and enraged, he issues a public challenge inviting the anonymous newspaper writer to his estate to conduct their very own private investigation.
Shocked to discover his adversary is an entrancing woman, the duke finds himself intrigued beyond measure and is soon horrified to realize the scandal of the year may be playing out in his very own heart.
Yet it soon becomes clear that someone wishes to silence Mrs. Lambe and her pen for good. As the lady of letters becomes embroiled in a sinister plot, Cross quickly finds himself committed to keeping his erstwhile enemy safe no matter the cost.
The Duke Report is a standalone romance with a happy ending. However, it features cliffhangers relating to secondary characters as part of the overarching mystery plot of the Must Love Scandal series.