All of London gossips about the Duke of Montrose. A recluse. Inflicted with a terrible disease. A gargoyle with a terrible temper. But he's also the most important patron of the centuries-old book shop that belongs to Miss Elizabeth Sharpe's family. Now she's been charged with delivering books to the Gargoyle of London herself-or risk their shop falling into ruin. But surely a duke can't be that ghastly...

Garrett Maximilian doesn't give a tinker's damn what society says about him. Most of them are sycophants, bowing and scraping in his presence. But not this proud, redheaded spitfire of a woman standing before him. In fact, nothing makes him feel more alive than Miss Elizabeth tartly criticizing his books. Perhaps he just needs a plan to keep her close...

The duke's glower doesn't terrify Elizabeth as much as it fascinates her. And worse, he looks at her with a dark hunger that should make her shake with fear-not desire. But Elizabeth's father has sinister plans in store for his daughter...and this beastly duke might be her only salvation.