The Ugly Duchess
- Reads 127
- Votes 1
- Parts 2
Ongoing8m
Last published Thu, Mar 5, 2020
The honorable Catriona Upton is as plain as a post with a big kind heart and an equally large fortune that marks her as a pawn -----and wary of love. Her worst fears are realized when her father announces that she is to be married to the insufferable, rakish and impossible Lucas, Lord Hunt, London's most eligible bachelor.
When Lucas is informed that he was promised to Lady Catriona, the "ugly duckling" as society had dubbed her, since birth he is furious and shocked. But a promise is a promise and he is honor bound to go through with the marriage, although reluctantly.
When the two meet they share an instant dislike for one another. But their constant arguing masks a mutual attraction. And Lucas soon finds himself intrigued and infernally tempted by his wife who he is beginning to care deeply for.
But when danger arrives, it threatens to tear them apart, unless these two wary lovers can find a way to work together....
All Rights Reserved
#962
regency
Join the largest storytelling communityGet personalized story recommendations, save your favourites to your library, and comment and vote to grow your community.
You may also like
![In Magician's Embrace [BOOK 1 of Price Family Saga]](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/337149921-256-k110565.jpg)
In Magician's Embrace [BOOK 1 of Price Family Saga]
Eliza Price, daughter of the Duke of Hertfordshire, finds herself entangled in a web of suitors, rejecting one potential partner after another. A marriage with the esteemed Duke of Kent appears to be her path forward, until an enigmatic figure, Mr. Magician, captivates her heart. Not only does he possess an irresistible charm, but he stands as the sole gentleman in all of London who dares to resist her allure. Meanwhile, the Marquess St. Arcey, perceiving Eliza as the embodiment of a femme fatale, cannot bear the thought of her belonging to another. His ardent pursuit of her heart and hand further complicates matters. To exacerbate the predicament, the fate of Eliza's family fortune hangs precariously in the balance. The crucial documents that substantiate their ancestral estates and noble title are hidden within a chest, found by the royal historian. Tragically, the historian meets an untimely demise, and the chest mysteriously vanishes, leaving all clueless about its whereabouts. The historian's demise summons the long-standing rivals of the Price family - the Grays - who descend upon London with their agenda. Amongst them is the haughty Lord Daniel Gray, driven by a deep-seated desire for retribution stemming from an ancient transgression that saw his family's property pass into the hands of the Prices. His presence in Eliza's life becomes an omen of unfortunate events, marked by searing insults unleashed each time their paths cross. Will Eliza navigate this maelstrom of emotions and choices to find her ultimate happiness? And who shall claim the chest concealing the Price family's fortunes? The answers lie within the endless dance of fate, as Eliza's journey unfolds against the backdrop of Georgian society, where love, rivalry, and the pursuit of ancestral legacies intertwine in unexpected ways. TRIGGER WARNING: MATURE CONTENT! Awards: AMBYS 2023 WINNER | Romance Reads 2024 Honorable MentionComplete
Intolerable Civility
With her reputation in tatters and a baby to look after, Catherine Balley is given a single chance at redemption: marry the man she once betrayed, a man who has every reason to hate her. * * * * * Seduced, ruined, and abandoned, Cate spends her days looking after her illegitimate baby, Luke, and trying not to think about the past she lost and the future she will now never have. When David Demery, the man she was once engaged to, offers to honour his promise and marry her, Cate cannot refuse: it is the only chance she will ever have to repair her reputation and protect Luke's future. But just because Demery is willing to marry her doesn't mean he's willing to love her: she broke his heart once, and he is determined not to let her do it again. Even if this time Cate's own heart is at risk of breaking too.Complete
Lady Griffith's Second Chance
Seven years have passed since Regan lost the love of her life. During that time, she found solace raising her three children, sequestering herself in the country and away from the talk and bustle of society. But now her eldest daughter is beginning her own search for a husband, and Regan finds herself drawn back into the public eye after so many - too many - years away. She meets Thomas Cranmer, a young - too young - and handsome gentleman who should have his attentions focused on other women, women lacking the age and grief she earned as a widow and mother. Yet he seeks her out, winning her over with his smiles and wit, reminding her of what it is to be a woman, and a desirable one at that. But when secrets are revealed and her respectability threatened, Regan discovers there is life beyond grief, and that perhaps it is possible to find love a second time...Complete
Once Upon A Knight ✔
(*Not Edited*) When Sir Torryn Roderick shares a passionate kiss with a pretty village wench he doesn't know that the young woman is a actually a lady. He is more shocked to discover that she is betrothed to another man. Soon Torryn learns that the so called gentleman who is to be her groom is not what he seems and Torryn valiantly vows to protect the fair lady, risking his own life. Lady Elyssande Durand was taught to be content with whatever came her way and her betrothal was one such matter. Ladies were not supposed to feel what she felt until a Welsh knight showed her unbridled passion one chance night. But she cannot dare to dishonor her vow knowing that the repercussions could be catastrophic for everyone involved - herself, her family and the man with whom she knows she is fast falling in love.Complete
Husband Wanted (HC #1)
Elizbeth Humphrey wants a husband. Her expectations are not outlandish; all she asks is that he be reasonably handsome, reasonably wealthy and completely kind. Her brothers have offered their assistance, and it's given her hope that perhaps there is a man out there who might want her for a wife. But alas, the first man she meets after recommitting to the battle against spinsterhood is reasonably handsome, reasonably naked and completely soaked through and stranded on their front steps. He also has a head-wound and no memory of who he is, but Elizabeth Humphrey has larger mysteries to solve; namely, the mystery of who she might marry. Book 1 of the Humphrey Chronicles! Completed: March 2022 (~83000 words)Complete
A Proper Education (HC #3)
Simon Humphrey has many responsibilities. He has a dukedom to oversee, a wife to find, and a rambunctious family to keep in line, not the least of whom is his youngest sister (and perhaps best friend) Phillipa, who cannot seem to keep a governess. When Mrs Fiona Green appears, references in one hand and her young son Nathaniel clutched in the other, he hopes that at least one of his prayers has been answered, and sets his mind to the important task of finding himself a respectable duchess to share his life. But something - or someone - seems determined to keep Simon from his goal. As inconvenience, danger, and outright sabotage abound, Simon struggles to keep those in his care safe... and to ignore the sparkling green eyes of the sweet, lovely, and married governess now living within his walls. After all, Simon Humphrey has many responsibilities. He's just not sure if that includes following his heart. ** Book 3 of the Humphrey Chronicles ** Completed January 2026, ~ 124K wordsComplete
The Wayward Miss Wainwright
Miss Helena Wainwright is determined to see her nieces and nephew well settled with their new guardian, the Duke of Rotherham. After six months of transition, the children are beginning to bond with their uncle, but Helena and the Duke aren’t able to get much past the barest of civilities. Now that the duke is poised to offer for the shy Miss Fanshawe, Helena is horrified to discover an awful secret about the young lady and her scheming mother. What is she going to do--keep the secret or reveal all in her own bid for the duke’s heart? Ready to settle down and provide a stable environment for his wards, Vernon Wroxby, the Duke of Rotherham, has decided the amenable Miss Fanshawe will do, even if he dislikes her outspoken, uncouth mama. If he could just quit wondering what Miss Wainwright is doing (and with whom) he’d be able to appreciate the match a bit more. But as his wards begin to rebel against the idea of this marriage, and he starts to realize that his affections really reside with Miss Wainwright, will one determined marriage-mart mama ruin any chance he might have for true happiness?Complete
The Earl's Young Bride and Their Siblings (completed)
Life's controversy is overcome by understanding and conquered by love. Two couples. First, there is Lord Bennett Caldwell, Earl of Kendal. He knows of the marital contract he would one day honor. His father raised him to cherish the young girl. Yet, with her young age of only sixteen, he is prepared to wait longer. However, even though Vivian Brighton learned to love the boy, she knows nothing of the contract to marry him. Discover the controversies when she discovers this and the surprising love match between her brother and Bennett's sister. These two couples are opposites. Ben is romantic, kind, considerate, and very patient. Vivian is highly intelligent and that makes her wiser than her age. Charlotte is outspoken, a little wild, and raised with specific ideas. Radley is a Viscount, rich, and has supreme confidence. He is also a strategist, which helps him stay ahead of Charlotte. If you love romance in the purest form, you will enjoy this read. ______ This is PG-15 due to sexual discussions and suggestions.Complete
Eliza Price, daughter of the Duke of Hertfordshire, finds herself entangled in a web of suitors, rejecting one potential partner after another. A marriage with the esteemed Duke of Kent appears to be her path forward, until an enigmatic figure, Mr. Magician, captivates her heart. Not only does he possess an irresistible charm, but he stands as the sole gentleman in all of London who dares to resist her allure. Meanwhile, the Marquess St. Arcey, perceiving Eliza as the embodiment of a femme fatale, cannot bear the thought of her belonging to another. His ardent pursuit of her heart and hand further complicates matters. To exacerbate the predicament, the fate of Eliza's family fortune hangs precariously in the balance. The crucial documents that substantiate their ancestral estates and noble title are hidden within a chest, found by the royal historian. Tragically, the historian meets an untimely demise, and the chest mysteriously vanishes, leaving all clueless about its whereabouts. The historian's demise summons the long-standing rivals of the Price family - the Grays - who descend upon London with their agenda. Amongst them is the haughty Lord Daniel Gray, driven by a deep-seated desire for retribution stemming from an ancient transgression that saw his family's property pass into the hands of the Prices. His presence in Eliza's life becomes an omen of unfortunate events, marked by searing insults unleashed each time their paths cross. Will Eliza navigate this maelstrom of emotions and choices to find her ultimate happiness? And who shall claim the chest concealing the Price family's fortunes? The answers lie within the endless dance of fate, as Eliza's journey unfolds against the backdrop of Georgian society, where love, rivalry, and the pursuit of ancestral legacies intertwine in unexpected ways. TRIGGER WARNING: MATURE CONTENT! Awards: AMBYS 2023 WINNER | Romance Reads 2024 Honorable Mention
More detailsContent Guidelines