Julia Fenwick is determined. As the oldest and most practical Fenwick sister, she knows full well that an advantageous marriage is the only way to ensure continuing status for herself and her sisters in the ton. To that end, she's made a list of England's most eligible suitors and ruthlessly ignored those who will attract gossip - even Jonathan Crowe, Duke of Southill, whose title is more than overpowered by his louche attitude and scandalous reputation. But as confident as Julia is about her marriageable qualities, there's one aspect of being a wife that she knows very little about. Carnal aspects of a union. She doesn't like to be unprepared, but she doesn't know how to go about preparing. As she considers the problem, she can't help thinking about the Duke of Southill's infamous skills in that department... and above all, his famed discretion.
Would a course of salacious education be so very wicked? Probably not. In fact, it would be useful. Terribly useful, if she wishes to be a perfect wife... and as for a sentimental entanglement, well, such an idea would be ridiculous. Yes. A course of seduction with the Duke of Southill. But will Julia be able to remain so remorselessly practical? And will the Duke of Southill, long turned against the very idea of marriage, suddenly find himself saddled with far more than he bargained for?