The Duke of Brockenhurst, bored by Society and cynical about thebeautiful women who cast themselves before him in a desperate bid tobecome his Duchess, accepts a wager to ride from London to York aloneand incognito. Outraged by the suggestion that he has lost hisverve and the command he once had whilst distinguishing himself in the Army, he decides to reflect on his future, whilst setting himself the challenge to move amongst ordinary people undetected. Valora Melford is bereaved of her beloved father and left in the care of hergrasping stepmother. Determined to force her lovely stepdaughter tomarry the dissolute Sir Mortimer, who is willing to pay ten thousandpounds for the pleasure, she first entreats and then threatens Valorato do as she is told. However, Valora is made of stronger stuffthan her fragile exterior would suggest and she tells her stepmotherin no uncertain terms that she will not marry the repulsive old Baronet. In fact Valora is adamant that she will never marry at all, as she does not believe that true love exists. Overhearing adistraught Valora arguing with her cruel stepmother in the room nextto his, the Duke of Brockenhurst decides to step in and help themaiden that he can hear is clearly in distress. With his disguiseunbroken, he decides to help her escape from the inn they are stayingin and avoid an unwanted marriage. Immediately trusting thehandsome stranger who offers to protect her until she reaches theshelter of her grandfather? s house in York, Valora packs her fewpossessions and they steal away together. But ten thousand poundsis a lot of money to lose and it does not take Valora? s stepmotherlong to realise that her stepdaughter has escaped. Outraged, shequickly dispatches two henchmen hell-bent on dragging Valora back tothe altar. With her captors in hot pursuit, it appears that Valora? s escape is doomed and the Duke? s mask will be uncovered. Drawing ever closer, the Duke must use all of his Military skills andnatural quick wits to keep them safe. With danger and trickery atevery turn, Valora is forced to depend upon a man whose real name shedoes not even know.
