The Duchess Heist

What is the cost of a nude painting from the Royal Academy of Art?

That depends on who you ask.

Possible ruination... for Lady Lillias St. Clair, the daughter of a gambling addicted duke, when she discovers a partially completed portrait of herself reveals her identity and much more. But before she concocts a scheme to steal it from the prestigious academy, the artwork goes missing.

Perhaps salvation... for Lord William Cavendish, who hides his dark past behind a cavalier air and his good deeds. Yet, to earn true redemption and raise funds in time for a grand gesture, he must enter an International art contest with a scandalous pose of an unknown figure model, which turns out to be the daughter of the duke who stands between William and his dreams.

Worth dueling over? Both families have fought a generations-long feud between them. So when a fake engagement presents a chance to recover the missing nude portrait, Lillias and William agree the ruse may prevent a scandal.

When reputations are at stake, and a nude painting hangs in the balance, the cost could be too high until they find what Shakespeare once wrote to be true, 'love's not time's fool.'