The Duke of Hearts by V. C. Lluxe

Miss Marjorie Adams isn’t the sort of woman to beg for help from a man, even one who’s been kind to her in the past. So, when she finds herself asking assistance of the Duke of Arthford and unable to tear her gaze from his shockingly bare forearms as he hastily rolls down his shirtsleeves, she begins to realize that something else is going on here.
Yes, it’s never happened to her before, but it’s inconveniently happened to her now. She’s in love.
Fortunately, she knows about love. She’s seen how it works, after all, what with the way her late father forced her into ignominious situations for leering men, situations that lined her father’s coin purse and destroyed her reputation. She knows love burns bright and brief. It fades fast. Her fascination will not last.
But then the duke arrives at her estate, buys it from her nephew for an outrageous sum, and presents to her the deed. Marjorie isn’t one to take help from a man, however, especially not one she happens to be inconveniently in love with. She cannot be in this man’s debt. So, she offers a scandalous transaction to the duke.
Her virtue in exchange for the deed.
It wouldn’t be noble for him to accept. But, then, of course, he’s not exactly the noble sort.

This dark historical romance series explores elements of characters’ pasts involving assault, trauma, and healing. Though this book completes the arc of one couple’s romance and provides them with a happily ever after, this book will best be enjoyed after reading book one in the series.