The Dutches Deal

Author - Tessa Dare

After returning from war with scars that left him reclusive, the Duke of Ashbury needs an heir. He proposes a marriage of convenience to seamstress Emma Gladstone, but their unexpected attraction soon turns the arrangement into a battle between pride, passion, and love.

Genre - Historical Romance

Notes: The Dutches Deal

• • Lady Annelise, a wallflower with a secret passion for engineering, yearns for a life beyond the London Season.
• • Her family faces financial ruin, forcing her into a desperate marriage proposal.
• • The eligible Duke of Northwood, Rafe, is known for his cold demeanor and rumored cruelty.
• • Annelise overhears a conversation revealing the Duke's desperate need for a wife who can manage his estate and his reputation.
• • She concocts a bold plan: to propose a marriage of convenience, offering her skills in exchange for his protection and financial security.
• • Annelise uses her engineering knowledge to subtly impress Rafe during their initial, tense meeting.
• • Rafe is intrigued by her unusual intelligence and directness, a stark contrast to the simpering debutantes he usually encounters.
• • He agrees to her unconventional proposal, setting strict terms for their arrangement.
• • Annelise moves to Northwood Manor, a sprawling estate in disrepair, and immediately sets about assessing its structural problems.
• • Rafe observes her with a mixture of skepticism and growing fascination as she tackles practical challenges.
• • Annelise discovers a hidden network of tunnels and secret passages within the manor.
• • These tunnels become a source of both wonder and a tool for her investigations.
• • She learns about the tragic past of Northwood and the rumors surrounding Rafe's family.
• • Rafe's aloofness stems from past trauma and a deep-seated distrust of others.
• • Annelise begins to chip away at Rafe's defenses with her genuine kindness and unwavering determination.
• • She finds a forgotten library and begins to research the manor's history and its former inhabitants.
• • The manor's staff are initially wary of Annelise but gradually warm to her practical approach.
• • Annelise discovers old blueprints and engineering notes belonging to a previous Duke.
• • These notes reveal a hidden invention or a secret project.
• • Rafe starts to confide in Annelise about his past and the pressures he faces.
• • Their shared intellectual pursuits and their clandestine explorations of the manor forge a bond.
• • Annelise uses her engineering skills to fix a broken water system, impressing Rafe and the villagers.
• • She uncovers evidence of sabotage and neglect that has plagued the estate for years.
• • Rafe's estranged brother, a gambler and wastrel, makes an appearance, adding to the tension.
• • Annelise realizes the Duke's financial woes are more complex than she initially understood.
• • She uncovers a plot to defraud Rafe and seize his inheritance.
• • The secret passages prove vital in her investigation, allowing her to gather evidence discreetly.
• • Rafe finds himself increasingly drawn to Annelise's spirit and her sharp mind.
• • He begins to protect her, not just as part of their deal, but out of genuine concern.
• • Annelise discovers a hidden workshop filled with Rafe's own unfinished inventions.
• • She realizes he shares her passion for engineering, a secret he has kept hidden.
• • Their shared passion becomes a powerful connection, leading to a deeper understanding.
• • The estranged brother's machinations escalate, putting Annelise in danger.
• • Rafe's protective instincts fully kick in, revealing his true feelings.
• • Annelise uses her engineering knowledge to build a clever trap or defense mechanism.
• • They work together to expose the brother's scheme and secure the estate.
• • A dramatic confrontation takes place within the manor's secret passages.
• • Rafe and Annelise's partnership proves to be their greatest strength.
• • The truth about Rafe's family history and the source of his pain is revealed.
• • Annelise's bravery and intelligence save the Duke and his legacy.
• • Rafe finally allows himself to fall in love, seeing Annelise as his equal and his future.
• • He confesses his love for her, a stark contrast to his initial coldness.
• • Annelise reciprocates his feelings, realizing her own heart has been captured.
• • The "marriage of convenience" blossoms into a true and passionate union.
• • Northwood Manor begins to be restored and revitalized under their joint efforts.
• • Annelise's engineering talents are finally recognized and celebrated.
• • Rafe sheds his aloof exterior, becoming a more open and loving man.
• • They face the future together, a formidable and devoted couple.
• • The story concludes with a sense of hope and the promise of a shared life filled with innovation and love.