What a Duke Wants

What woman wouldn't be pleased to find out that the man she is falling in love with is really a duke? Isabella Hermione Masters believes that life may finally be going her way. She has been running and hiding for years, taking jobs far below her station in life, in an effort to escape a crime she was forced to commit. When she meets Mr. Mark Smythe she begins to dream that he will take her away and that they can lead a simple life centered around home and family.
What man wouldn't be pleased to become a duke? Mark Smythe-Burke was quite content with his military career and caring for his mother's small estate. When he unexpectedly inherits from his uncle and becomes the Duke of Strattington he is secretly horrified. He doesn't know how to be a duke, how to project the silent power and disdain his uncle and grandfather both demonstrated with such ease, and the thought of spending his life at court brings no joy and great unease.
When Mark and Isabella meet they both see the chance to be who they secretly desire to be. When he is with Isabella Mark is simply a man and when Isabella is with Mark she can forget everything but her dreams of a home and safety.
But, when they are discovered together in a compromising situation the truth comes out and they are both left shattered. Isabella tries to run, as she always has, but Mark catches her. Believing she has no other choices Isabella becomes Mark's mistress and they find a small amount of joy in their hidden life.
Isabella longs for more, however, and when her past and her family find her she is forced to flee from Mark again.
She encounters him at a masquerade ball when she is pretending to be somebody else. They share a night of passion and Mark is left realizing he needs her in his life. When he discovers her true identity he acts the duke he has become and sweeps away her problems and proposes marriage, daring anyone to stop him.
Isabella cannot resist what she has always wanted and accepts. Together they fight for the love they want and deserve.