A Virgin for the Rakish Duke: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel

Romancing a Rake #3

by Claire Devon

“Is this seduction or worship?” Harriet whispered.
“There is no difference. Not if it is done right."

Lady Harriet Tisdale craves freedom. Until a scandalous accident during a ball leaves her shackled, quite literally, to her brother’s notorious friend...

Jeremy Cavendish, Duke of Penhaligon, has vowed to never wed. Yet when the innocent Harriet is thrust right into his arms, he strikes a one month of a fake betrothal in exchange for her freedom…

But as passion tangles with pretense, desire becomes impossible to resist. And soon, one reckless lie threatens to turn dangerously real…

Each book in the Romancing a Rake series is a standalone story of 70,000 words that can be enjoyed out of order and can be read for free with Kindle Unlimited.

435 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! This story is an absolute delight from start to finish.

Harriet is a sweet, sheltered young woman whose world has been narrowed by her brother’s extreme protectiveness. Closed off from society and stifled by endless rules, she finally begins to chafe against the restrictions and in a daring moment of rebellion, she sneaks out to a ball. That single act changes everything.

Jeremy is a rake, and he knows it. The ton knows it too. But in a hilarious twist of fate, he suddenly finds himself engaged to Harriet…or at least pretending to be, a secret known only to the two of them. Jeremy has plans and needs Harriet’s help; Harriet simply wants the chance to live her own life for once. Their partnership is unexpected, chaotic, and wonderfully charming.

Just when you think they’re on the brink of their happy ending, everything threatens to come crashing down. The final stretch is full of edge‑of‑your‑seat tension, emotional stakes, and the kind of romantic payoff that makes the journey worth it.

Claire Devon delivers another engaging, heartfelt romance filled with humour, longing, and two characters who discover exactly what and who they truly want.

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Harriett Tisdale is the sister of Ralph, the new Earl of Oaksgrove. He was a rake and rouge with his best friend, Jeremy, the Duke of Penhaligon till his parents were killed in a carriage accident. Then he changed from being carefree and fun to thinking of nothing but business and duty. He is not a mean brother but has become so overprotective, poor Harriett can’t leave the house or grounds of Oaksgrove without him. Even with her grandmother, Agnes who lives with them. Harriett dreams of freedom to see London, the balls, gardens, museums anything outside of her room and the house. She is very excited as Ralph has said she can go to the Chelmsford Ball which is a masquerade too. She has gotten a beautiful gown and planned out the evening. Then Ralph informs both her and Agnes he is leaving the night before the ball on business and will be gone a week or more. Even worst is he downplays the importance of the ball saying there will be others. Not even his grandma’s disapproval brothers him. Harriett is heartbroken when her best friend, Jane tells her she will help her seek out and goes to the ball. She could never have imagined how this one night will chance her life. The Duke of Penhaligon, Jeremy is looking for a French woman at the same ball that has been writing nasty letters to him. Jeremy finds a lady with black hair and dress in the library and thinking it is the women he is after carries out their plan handcuffing them together! Oh, my what is he to do when her mask slips and he finds out she is his friends' little sister! Worst they are about to be caught together, Ralph will kill him. Both Jeremy and Harriett find out they can help each other . So begins a fake engagement for him and freedom for her, sneaking past the butler with help from Jane and Grandmother to see life. This is a very romantic, fun, story with tons of drama, Kisses, laughter, along with learning what the most important thing in life really is and how one can almost lose it. Grab a copy and get started you will not be able to put it down and like me may read it forgetting anything else till the end. I received and ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

[Pat Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So.Many. Plot twists! Trying to figure out who is blackmailing who and how it will all end is what the reader will do reading this wonderful story! Freedom is paramount to Harriet, especially since her overprotective brother has taken over her care. Jeremy is determined to be as celebrated as his forefathers and will do anything to get it. But his rakish ways get him into trouble….or does it? All my emotions were in play reading this. Anger at her brother, giggling at Jane and Harriet’s antics , swooning over love scenes, frustration at Beecham and adoring Grandmama. And just when you think it’s safe, Dr. March totally confuses the whole story. I love this author’s style of writing and her plot board must look a total mess by the time she is finished ! Watching Jeremy realize his trajectory is all wrong and deciding to change it, only to be thrown into another plot twist was a teary moment as I felt his pain, as well as Harriet’s when she sees what is going on . (Like I said- emotions are really involved here!) The characters were very believable , especially with a virgin getting her first taste of seduction. Grandmama was a hoot and Simon is a villain you love to hate. I truly enjoyed this story and the absence of crass language (thank you, author!) I HIGHLY recommend it!

I received this story for free and these are my own views.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story that captivates with wonderfully believable characters
This story is full of emotion with believable and enjoyably unbelievable moments, it was great fun, and written very well

Lady Harriet is under her brother's care now and he has become very over protective and concerned with their image within society. His overbearing behaviour towards Harriet has her dreaming of nothing but freedom

Lady Harriet and his Grace Jeremy have been known to one another for years as he is friends with her brother but it's her very rebellion against her brother that brings them together

It all just takes one moment at a Masquerade where these two are found in the library alone, to start it all. They contrive a secret fake betrothal to each other and as they find ways to spend time together, they begin to truly find it hard to resist the natural pull they have for one another

Really enjoyed all the twists, turns, secrets, and really fun moments in this story which led to our H&H's HEA.

Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own

[Doreen Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Story

I enjoyed this well-written story. Lady Harriet was determined to find some freedom away from her brother's protection. Duke Jeremy was a rake and met Harriet by accident. They agreed to have a fake, and secret, betrothal. Harriet had some ingenious ways to escape the surveillance of their butler, who was instructed to keep a close watch on Harriet, whilst her brother was away. I liked the way Harriet and Jeremy moved through the various chaotic events and always seemed to evade detection. There were others who wanted to stop their relationship and Harriet's brother was determined to marry her to a man he had chosen. Will Jeremy be able to find a way to rebuild his reputation? Will he be in time to stop Harriet's wedding? Read on and enjoy.

[KAREN MARTIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This is the third in the series and are standalone with similar themes, A rogue that will be broken by someone unexpected. The characters are good and tend to have flaws that make them more likeable. Jeremy and Harriet are known to each other but find themselves in a compromising position and she agrees to help him in his quest. Some of the situations are improbable, for that time in history but lust and desire can shake things up a bit. There is a bit of spice and a few turns. One complaint is that the covers due not match the characters description within the book. Other than that I really liked the series and author. I have not read the extended dialog yet and hoping the author gives a bit of closure to a few of the side characters. Enjoy!

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

choose love

This was a delightful story. It brought lots of smiles while reading some of the inner play between the characters and unusual situations. (who takes handcuffs to a ball?)
I was left with a few questions that the story didn’t fill in. How was the relationship started and moved toward the point of being lovers without ever having met? How did they start writing back-and-forth to each other in the first place?
Questions aside, it was a nice
enjoyable read.

[Caroline Sanderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, kept me enthralled from start to finish. A passionate couple who never gave up on one another despite all the obstacles thrown in their way. A wonderful, misunderstood, MMC who found his match in a feisty, independent young woman who was bound by social norms. Despite many twists and turns they found their way to one another in end, thank goodness! A book that will live long in my memory and I will definitely read again.

[Nancy T Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

A First Ball/An Accidental Meeting/A Kiss

Lady Harriet is caught unescorted at a masked ball in the library in all reality with her brother’s best friend. She cannot resist him for long and then the charade begins of an engagement. But her escapes to escape her home are few & far between & the Duke needs her good standing in his effort to purchase the Opera House. But when

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeremy & Harriet

It's always fun when a rake falls in love! Of course, there is the desire that one's beloved comes to him/her untainted, ready to be loved for the first time. But when love is at stake, like Jeremy and Harriet, the past no longer matters...only their future...together...matters.

[Marian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frustrating

This book had me engaged for several chapters but then things began to happen without explanation. For two intelligent people, Harriet and Jeremy did not query any of the strange happenings. I became more and more irritated until my only option was to fast forward to the epilogue. Unfortunately I found even that was aggravating.

[Vickie Gehrt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow your dream.

Harriet and Jeremy’s story is one of breaking out for her and following a drive for him. Working together to help each with their own life aim but not without its consequences. There is great characters and descriptive scenes to tell this story along with it’s own hazards.

[Pauline Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot and steamy

Although they have known one another for years due to Jeremy friendship with Harriet brother it takes her rebelling against her brother to bring them together in this wonderful story

[Dick Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read!

No matter what you would like to see in a love story, you’ll probably find it here. Mistaken identity leading to strangers being handcuffed together, a false betrothal, manufactured bastard children and in the end true love. Don’t miss this book.

[Cindy Aber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very romantic

A very romantic love story with lots of sex...highly recommend!!!!! A fairy tale of love and one with two people who discovered their other half.