A Duke's Wicked Secret

A Duke's Wicked Secret A REGENCY ROMANCE NOVEL MEGHAN SLOAN Copyright © 2023 by Meghan Sloan All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher. In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. Table of Contents Table of Contents Free Exclusive Gift Introduction 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 Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Free Exclusive Gift Sign up for my mailing list to be notified of hot new releases and get my latest Full-Length Novel “The Scent of Every Sin” (available only to my subscribers) for FREE! Click the link or enter it into your browser https://dl.bookfunnel.com/64lyd083xo A Duke's Wicked Secret Introduction As soon as Penelope Ainsworth arrives in London, she sets tongues wagging. During a solitary ride, a near collision with a melancholic stranger known as the "mad Duke" leaves her breathless with intrigue. Despite her friend's warnings, Penelope is drawn to the Duke’s enigmatic past and imposing presence. As she navigates the dangerous waters of London's elite, their eyes meet again at a ball, and she feels powerless to resist his devilish charms… Will Penelope choose to risk everything for her wicked Duke? His facial scar and troubled past have earned Theodore Winterbourne the title of the mad Duke, a reputation that sometimes works to his advantage by keeping the nosy ton at bay. Yet, beneath his brooding exterior lies a man tormented by family trauma and a fierce determination to avoid his father's tragic fate. Swearing never to marry, he is totally unprepared for the fiery Lady who ignites a flame within him. As their mutual love for riding blossoms into a friendship, Theo finds himself on the brink of breaking his own rules to pursue his passion for her. Yet, will he ever denounce the wounds of his past that continue to haunt him? In the scorching London summer, Penelope is swept away by the alluring Duke. As their scandalous romance blossoms amidst the glittering world of high society, a simple horseback ride turns into a thrilling and dangerous escapade, igniting a passion that threatens to consume them both. With secrets and betrayal lurking at every turn, will their sinful love survive the storm, or will it be crushed under the weight of scandal and prejudice? Chapter 1 Exhilaration filled Penelope’s entire being as she and her horse, Phoenix, a beautiful sorrel mare, galloped across the countryside surrounding London. The morning was bright and clear, which was unusual for that time of year. Usually, in early March, it would be damp and misty out, but today the sun was out in all its glory, and Penelope was drinking it in hungrily. Her chestnut brown curls bounced gracefully as they rode over the green hills, and all the while Penelope’s eyes flashed with the brilliance of their bright blue hue. There was nothing in the world that Penelope loved so much as her early morning rides. Her mother and father had long since given up convincing her that it was improper for a young debutant to “gallivant around” as they put it. For no matter how much they fussed, she still found time to sneak out and ride. In consideration of their unhappiness about this, she made sure to rise early before the rest of the household and come back before it was time to break their fast. It was a kind of unspoken agreement she and her parents had. If she went without them explicitly knowing and returned before her absence was taken note of, they would all pretend that it had never happened. Penelope and her family had just settled in her father’s new estate because his father had lived to a very old age, and with his passing, the estate had finally gone to her father. Usually, she would go for a more peaceful ride, but since the move, she had been unable to sneak away for those precious hours with Phoenix, and instead of proceeding with caution so that they could avoid anyone else riding, they continued at full gallop. As they passed a small meadow, Penelope noted the sounds of the presence of another rider, and due to the speed she was currently riding at, she barely managed to manoeuvre so that she and this rider did not collide. Penelope struggled to stay seated in her saddle, so she called for Phoenix to slow down to a gentle trot, and in doing so, she saw that the other rider was a tall gentleman with dark wavy brown hair. He looked to be no more than four and thirty, but Penelope did not dare to take in more not to appear completely uncouth. The moment she averted her gaze from this man, she found herself curious to look at him again. He was so intriguing, not to mention exceedingly handsome, and as of yet, Penelope had not been introduced to him or even seen him at any of the events this season. It was obvious that he was a man of great wealth and being that she had never seen him made her all the more curious. She was sure she had been dragged in front of all the eligible bachelors of the ton. With his brooding demeanour and the deep scar on his chin, she thought he could only be one man, the one known as the Mad Duke. The thought of meeting this man here in such a precarious manner sent a chill through her body. Much of the ton spoke of him, how his father, the