Title: The Duchess of Vidal
First published: 1978
Description: French emigre Dominique Le Foret has taken on an assumed name as she sets out to take up a position as a governess, but finds herself marooned at an inn when her new employer does not appear to meet her. When a dashing nobleman offers her a ride to the next town in his carriage, she feels obliged to accept. However, the pair suffer an accident and must spend the night together in an abandoned cottage. When they are rescued the following day, he realizes that she has been hopelessly compromised by being alone with him for so long, and decides to do the honorable thing and offer her marriage. She is not sure she wants to marry the haughty lord, who turns out to be a duke no less, but finally agrees to a marriage of convenience. As the couple start to develop warmer feelings for each other though, the secrets in her past become an obstacle to their happiness.
Subjects: marriage of convenience, evil relative
Time periods: Regency
LC classification: PZ4.L7498 Du, PS3562.I51194 Du