Gossip has already named Lady Leonora Belmont the mother of the Beast of Thorton's child, though she is untouched and still dreams of love.
The scandal sheets saw a baby on the handsome, beastly duke's doorstep and a dinner with her family, and that was enough to ruin her.
Cruel Duke Colin knows she cannot escape the mess, and he needs a mother for the infant anyway, so he offers marriage.
His sweet, innocent bride proves surprisingly insolent and will not share his bed unless she falls in love.
He grants her one week to prepare, then means to claim her as his wife in every sense that matters.
