Inspired by Cyrano de Bergerac, The Unexpected Duchess is a witty Regency romance filled with sharp banter, hidden feelings, and unexpected love.

Lady Lucy Upton has never been the kind of woman society considers delicate or proper. Her tongue is far too sharp, her opinions far too bold, and marriage prospects have never been high on her list of priorities. But when her shy and timid friend Cassandra finds herself pursued by the determined Duke of Claringdon, Lucy comes up with a daring solution. Hidden safely behind hedgerows and out of sight, Lucy secretly coaches Cassandra through every conversation, feeding her the perfect words to discourage the duke once and for all.

Unfortunately for Lucy, the duke proves impossible to scare away.

Lord Derek Hunt returned from war longing for peace, stability, and a quiet future. Bound by a promise to a fallen friend, he intends to marry the sweet and gentle Cassandra. Yet every attempt at courtship is interrupted by the mysterious, sharp-witted voice guiding her from the shadows. What begins as a frustrating game of verbal sparring soon turns into something far more dangerous as Derek finds himself captivated not by the woman he planned to marry, but by the fiery woman challenging him at every turn.

As secret conversations turn into undeniable chemistry, Lucy and Derek discover that the greatest battles are not fought on the battlefield, but in the heart.