Unusual!

The Duchess Hunt (Once Upon a Dukedom #2) by Lorraine Heath          

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A workplace romance set at a time when roles and responsibilities were strictly adhered to. A Regency tale expounding the trope of the heroine entering a man’s world in a time when women just weren’t employed in such positions. The courageous Penelope Pettypeace becomes secretary to the Duke of Kingsland in a male dominated world. Hugh Brinsley-Norton, ninth Duke of Kingsland, is a leading investor and his philosophy is to take opportunities. After all, if they fail they can be cancelled.

Penelope Pettypeace (I love the iteration of her name!) is a woman with a secret past, she’s a chameleon, able to walk away from a a life she’s conjured when needed. She hasn’t needed to so far. Her hidden identity is something she strictly guards. Even with all his resources Kingsland has not been able to uncover anything about her. Efficient to point of prescience Penelope takes to the investment world and secretly to Kingsland.

Kingsland lives only for business, Penelope lives to assist his aims. He has his own set of darkness inherited from childhood.

But it’s time to marry. His last effort didn’t go so well so he’s handed the task of choosing the perfect wife to meet his needs over to his perfect secretary. Her mission is clear—select his wife. After all his last attempt didn’t go so well so bring out the non negotiable requirements. (I have to say Kingsland’s either a man of his times, totally focused on his business, or insensitive. Marriage for him has become a business merger.)Penelope carries a notebook with a list of names, crossing off those who have some aspect that is not on Kingsland’s list of what he wants.

This all seems sterile and cold untl the rules change! Suddenly Kingsland and Penelope find in each other a temporary fulfilment, something they both realize will be short lived until the right Duchess is found. Can they walk away from each other?  When both are threatened by their pasts, how will the other react?

An enjoyable read.

An Avon / HarperVoyager ARC via NetGalley