A Bride for the Heartless Duke: A Steamy Marriage of Convenience Regency Romance Novel

by Claire S. Devon

“Last time,” she gasped against him, “you left me wanting. I shan’t permit it again.”

Jilted at the altar, Miss Isadora storms into the Duke of Winchester’s study, wearing an unused wedding gown and demanding her money back. Instead, the mysterious Duke offers her something far more dangerous–a marriage of convenience.

Haunted by his first wife’s death, Duke Nicholas needs a sensible Duchess to care for his daughter. And when Isadora barges into his study in his late wife’s wedding gown, she is immediately the perfect candidate…

Their arrangement is she will mother his daughter and ask nothing of him.

But Isadora wants his secrets—and his hands on her, too. And soon, restraint becomes their most dangerous lie…

Each book in the Marriage by Midnight series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order and can be read for free with Kindle Unlimited.

Genres: Historical Romance

429 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2026

Reviews

[Doreen Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. A cold Duke and a jilted country miss, who have different aspirations, marry against the expectations of society.
Nicholas, Duke of Winchester, and Miss Isadora Fairbourne were unlikely partners but Nicholas wanted a wife to act as mother for his daughter. Their marriage was one of convenience but there were some acquaintances who were not happy about their marriage and actively worked against them. Will they be able to overcome the problems and find happiness?
Read on and enjoy.

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, who doesn’t like a grumpy duke who carried a lot of guilt for the past then gets straightened out by his seven-year-old daughter and her wishes. Sophia has had a lot of nursemaids since her mother died when she was very young. Now she has made a list of qualities she wants. When her father sees the list he tells her that is a lot to expect of a nursemaid. She tells him it not for a nurse but a mother! Nursemaids always leave, maybe a mother would have to stay, and she would not be so lonely. Oh, my what could her father say to that. When a young lady shows up at his home, wearing his late wife's wedding dress and demanding he buy it back he is shocked. When he finds out why, he offers her a better deal than running away to London. Marry him and be a mother to his daughter, he will be a generous husband he will do all he can to make her happy. She loves children and after her fiancé fell to show up at the church for their wedding, she thought never to have any. She has never been wanted, when her parents died she and her sister were split between relatives and she was the last one anyone wanted. Her aunt and uncle are tired of her and very disappointed the wedding didn’t go thru. Now she could be a duchess even if it's only in name only. Now what could go wrong with this, let's see a little girl way smarter than her years, a woman who has never been loved or needed, and a duke who underestimated both. Nicholas has used pugilism to ease the pain inside him for his wife death. When feelings and secrets come to like he will learn many things most he will not like. He was so hardheaded and just could not accept what was right in front of him, made me want to slap him upside the head. That is how much this wonderful story will draw you in. I read it in one setting. Sophia is such a wonderful, beautiful child. With lots of emotion, passion, misunderstanding, and jealousy, this is a great story. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it. Rush and get your copy; you will not be sorry.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written and unique story.
A love story begun out of of convenience between a grumpy Duke, a wallflower, and all because of a wedding dress!

Isodora has felt unwanted for a long time, especially by her aunt and uncle who have raised her since she lost her parents. They are highly disappointed when her betrothed jilts her and she finds herself seeking the man who sold her the second hand wedding dress, she hopes to get her money back.

Nicholas the Duke of Winchester hasn't been the same since losing his wife. His daughter has gone through numerous care takers and the list she has given him for a new one is not for a nursemaid but for a mother...

The perfect solution to his problem comes with Isodora who has come to return the dress but he has a better idea. She could marry him, have her security, freedom, in exchange for raising his daughter!

Their marriage of convenience is filled with excitement, adventure, and romance. Quite an interesting plot and page turner.

I received an ARC, all opinions expressed are my own and voluntarily provided

[Pat Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love Grumpy/ Wallflower blooming stories and this one does not disappoint ! Isadora is a “poor relation” who aunt and uncle refuse to spend anything on her. Left at the altar and humiliated, she finds her way to the man who sold her the wedding dress. Nickolas is heartless after losing his wife and raising a daughter. All the ins and outs of this story kept me on the edge of my seat, as I never really knew where the author was going to take us. I hurt for them both as they faced their individual pain and hurt even more when Nickolas turned on her. I adored their personal connection, even though neither would admit it. Sophie was just so charming and cute, I wanted to be part of her world. Easy to love characters with interesting plots, villain(s) who get their due and a beautiful epilogue and wonderful bonus epilogue . Great read! I received this story for free and these are my own views.

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, full of society, drama, love, emotions, adventure, romance and twists. Isodora has been raised by an aunt and uncle who do not care for her. When she is to be married, she buys a dress second hand and then is left at the alter. She then heads to where she believes the dress came from but gets a surprise. Nicholas, the Duke of Winchester offers her marriage. One that would benefit each of their own needs. Add in a few villains and you get a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Will keep you turning the pages and wanting more. Has an epilogue and an extra bonus to love. Would recommend to all.
I received this story and leave this unbiased, honest reviews.

[Nancy T Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dress/A Duke/A Daughter/A Marriage..

Lady Isadora marries Duke Nicholas to
Help care for his small daughter..he has a secret place he visits and a secret identity..but their life is threatened by an unknown stranger & it’s all tied to
Grace, his first marriage. Little by little he finds his life stable & loving until the stranger appears & he’ll do anything to keep his family safe..

[Lourdes Nunez · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story of adventure and romance

I absolutely love the characters and the story line. It’s beautifully written, with plenty of excitement and lots of adventure and romance. I enjoyed it from beginning to the end. Love the epilogue as well as the extended epilogue. I highly recommend this amazing book.

[NelleRenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was excitement and villains in this story. I always like stories with a brooding widower who has at least one child. This child is a very good secondary character. The FMC is left at the alter in a second hand wedding gown so she storms into the home of the man who sold it. She thinks to get her money back, but instead gets a wedding proposal and the adventure begins.

[Cindy Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid story with likeable characters, even though I could have pinched Nicholas, the "heartless" duke, a few times during the book. Isadora is much too forgiving all too soon but then, she does love the guy. Not too steamy for those who like "cleaner" stories but enough steam to keep me happy! Although I received an ARC from Claire Devon, my opinions are my own and freely given.

[Pauline Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot and steamy

A lady left at the altar a Duke asked by his daughter to find her a mother and so beings this marriage of convenience with two men with their own selfish feelings trying to ruin it will it grow into love

[Mrs Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Thought both Isadora and Nicholas were very likeable and Sophie adorable. Thought the story was well paced. It was quite steamy but it didn’t detract from the romance which can sometimes happen Thoroughly recommend.

[Dick Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good tale.

He believed he was responsible for his first wife’s death and would come to wonder if his daughter was truly his.

[Janiece Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

A wonderful author. Again a terrific story! Her characters have charm and grace.
I will recommend this book to family and friends.
Read and enjoy!

[Isabell (Taylor’s Version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very cute but also had a lot of drama. Still, I enjoyed it. It was a good Holiday Romance that I read at the Beach.