A Duke Worth Fighting

A DUKE WORTH FIGHTING A HISTORICAL REGENCY ROMANCE NOVEL PATRICIA HAVERTON CONTENTS A Sweet Gift For You Before You Start Reading… Are you an avid reader? Before You Start Reading… Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Epilogue Extended Epilogue Preview: The Loveless Duke Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Also by Patricia Haverton Loved this book? About the Author A SWEET GIFT FOR YOU Thank you for supporting my efforts. Having you beside me on this wonderful journey means everything to me. As a Thank You gift I have one of my full-length novels here for you. The Last Lady of Thornhill Manor is only available to people who have downloaded one of my books and you can get your free copy by clicking this link here. Once more, thanks a lot for your love and support. Patricia Haverton BEFORE YOU START READING… Did you know that there’s a special place where you can chat with me and with thousands of like-minded bookworms all over the globe?! Join Cobalt Fairy’s facebook group of voracious readers and I guarantee you, you’d wish you had joined us sooner! Let’s connect, right NOW! Just click on the image above! ⇧ ARE YOU AN AVID READER? If you loved this novel, click here to choose from a variety of books like this one by this author! Just click on the image above! ⇧ If this wasn’t your cup of tea, you can select another trope more to your liking here! ABOUT THE BOOK ‘‘I have to strongly disagree …’’ ‘‘Of course, you do.” Miss Ava has never despised someone as much as the Duke of Marlborough and she has made that abundantly clear. But, with her cousin marrying his brother, they, unfortunately, have to be civil. Or at least pretend… Duke Ethan is against love and marriage. But this is his brother’s wedding and he promised to behave, even if Miss Ava looks beautiful when he ruffles her feathers. Unless he finds a way to continue their rivalry while remaining outwardly friendly… Everyone is overjoyed with the news of their courtship. But little do they know, it is all a ruse, a front for Ava and Ethan’s bet. Whoever falls for the other first loses. If they manage to protect their own heart in the process, that is… BEFORE YOU START READING… Miss Ava, my heroine in this story, has had quite the tragic beginning to her story. If you would like to see what happened to her, I have just the thing for you… Here is Ava’s Prequel Chapter which will help you understand and visualize the story inside my book better. Many of my readers requested it and that's why I am giving it away for free! I believe you will LOVE IT! It’s not mandatory to read it, but it will be really helpful if it's your first time with this book. Read the story of The Day Ava’s World Turned Upside Down here. Just click on the image above! ⇧ CHAPTER 1 The morning sun shone brightly even as the Duke of Marlborough drew his horse to a stop. He had been riding since the break of dawn, allowing the rise of the sun to be his sole companion on the journey as he came close to his home, the Marlborough estate, that he had been away from for so long. The sun’s rays beat against his back, causing beads of sweat to form around his temple and drop to his fingers. As his horse slowed down to a walk, he began feeling the effects of his decision. Maybe I should have just ridden in the carriage, he thought upon getting down and leading the horse—Desmond—by his reins. Ethan raised his hands over his head, stretching them until he heard a satisfying pop, then dropped them to the side. He stomped his boots against the ground a few times before looking ahead. The horse neighed and rubbed his muzzle into Ethan’s hair before they continued the short distance up the cobblestone. It had been a while—months turned almost into a year—since he had set his eyes on this home, but it was as magnificent and charming as he remembered. The house was dark with brick construction and the addition of decorative features like ivy. ‘‘Your Grace! ’Tis very lovely to see you this autumn morning. We were not expecting you until late in the afternoon. Your things, Your Grace?’’ his butler, Roberts, asked, the moment he drew close to him. Despite his floundering words, Ethan could see how happy and at peace the man was upon seeing his face. Maybe Raymond had proved difficult, especially with how much in love he was during those months Ethan was away. ‘‘Glad to be back, Roberts. The carriage with my things will be arriving shortly. Please see to it that everything is in good condition and placed where they are expected.’’ ‘‘Understood, Your Grace,’’ Roberts said as he bowed. Ethan turned back to his horse and led him to the stables. The other horses neighed when Ethan came closer as the stable boy rushed over, nodded, and held out his hands for the reins. Ethan rubbed Desmond’s mane and then left him there to be tended. When Ethan looked around, he found almost everything was in its place; the trees which bore apple fruits in the summer, and the peach grove was still standing strong. Before setting out for his Grand Tour, Ethan had been able to push everything that came with taking charge out of his mind, and he had done so for quite some time. But the responsibilities caught up with him, and now, he was stuck with everything he’d never wanted. He was expected to take control of the family’s business and