Synopsis

❝Sometimes, even the most proper of ladies wish to defy.❞
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Lady Eleanor Mary Cantwell, daughter of the Marquess of Salford, is a proper young lady. With her golden complexion, raven-black hair, and manners befitting a princess, Lady Eleanor has always been deemed a belle. There is just one problem.

Lady Eleanor Cantwell is Indian.

Having been adopted from India when Lady Salford found herself unable to bear a child, Lady Eleanor is shunned by society, including her mother, on account of her true heritage. The ladies turn their noses up at her and the gentlemen only wish for her virtue which she clings to dearly. They certainly have no wish to wed an Indian girl, no matter how pretty she is!

Which is why the entire ton is incredulous when a young man - a duke, no less! - offers his hand in marriage to the young daughter of the Marquess of Salford. Lady Eleanor finds it quite hard to believe that any gentleman would wish to marry her and instead of feeling grateful, all she feels is remorse and anger. A husband would only bring with him a mountain of restrictions that were detrimental to her plans of travelling the world - the land of her ancestors, in particular.

So, when her parents sell her off to the duke, she realises that she no longer cares for society, her beloved father, or her reputation. And when the duke makes her an enticing offer, she realises she would have to abandon all sense of propriety, manners, and rules to do what he asks of her.

She would have to defy.

©Richa Rachael Kurian, 2021

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1st Place Winner in GENERAL FICTION/HISTORICAL FICTION of the HIDDEN GEMS AWARDS

* Featured in the MULTICULTURAL AROUND THE WORLD reading list by @WattpadMulticultural
* Featured in the DIVERSE CHICKLIT reading list by @WattpadChickLitIN