There is nothing so important as putting space between herself and him-and nothing so hard. Vivienne Emory runs in the first circles of London society, but there's no telling how the ton would react if they knew she made a living as an oil painter. Her desire to follow her dreams means she must protect her secret-and her independence-at all costs. When the Duke of Hazelhurst returns to the vibrant London social scene after years abroad, his presence and chequered past set tongues wagging. His mother is desperate for him to take a wife, but he faces a daunting challenge-winning the heart of a woman who doesn't want anyone, especially him. An impulsive decision by the duke forces Vivienne into a web of pretence and sparks an electrifying engagement between them. What begins as a ruse swiftly intensifies, and the line between what's real and what's pretend becomes harder and harder to discern. Can Vivienne guard her secret and herself from the man determined to steal her heart? And when the truth unravels, will the duke's own deceit destroy any hope of a future with the woman he loves? Painting the Duke is a slow-burn steamy Regency romance perfect for readers who enjoy an irresistible hero, an independent heroine, and heaps of swoon-worthy moments.