Simon Basset the irresistible Duke of Hastings has hatched a plan to keep himself free from the towns marriageminded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to the lovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all it isnt as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry though there is something about the alluring Miss Bridgerton that sets Simons heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne surely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable. But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon she soon forgets that their courtship is a complete sham. And now she has to do the impossible and keep herself from losing her heart and soul completely to the handsome hellraiser who has sworn off marriage forever!