Margins
The Duke's Legacy book cover 1
The Duke's Legacy
Series · 1 book · 2025

Books in series

When He Was a Duke book cover
#1

When He Was a Duke

2025

She thought he was a servant. He turned out to be her salvation. Once, Sebastian Ashford was a duke's son—until his father's hanging stripped him of his name, his home, and his future. Branded by scandal and hardened by war, Sebastian returns to England with a single uncover the truth behind his family's ruin. Disguised as a humble gardener, he infiltrates the estate of the very man he suspects of orchestrating it all. Lady Rose Wentworth knows her place in Society—but that place is a prison. Raised in luxury yet suffocated by duty, she dreams of a life beyond her father's control. Now, she's being forced into marriage with a ruthless baron twenty years her senior—a match designed to secure power, not happiness. When she meets the new gardener, she's drawn to his quiet strength and piercing gaze—unaware that he's the enemy her family helped create. As their forbidden romance deepens, Sebastian and Rose must choose between loyalty and desire, vengeance and redemption. But in a world where titles define worth and secrets can destroy everything, loving him could cost them their lives. A Regency romance of slow-burn longing, forbidden attraction, hidden identities, and the intoxicating thrill of enemies becoming lovers. A sweeping story of passion, peril, and the fierce courage it takes to reclaim a name—and a future. Tropes: • Disguised Identity / Secret Identity • Class Difference / Forbidden Love • Slow Burn Romance • Redemption Arc • Found Family / Sibling Bond • Masquerade Ball • Revenge Plot / Justice Quest • Beauty and the Beast Vibes Note: This series is part of Dragonblade's Sweet Dreams line, so this is a sweet, wholesome Historical Romance where passion beyond the bedroom door is left to the reader’s imagination. The Duke's Legacy series: Book 1 - When He Was a Duke Book 2 - When He Was a Rogue Book 3 - When She Was a Governess

Author

Tess Thompson
Tess Thompson
Author · 79 books

Tess Thompson Romance...hometowns and heartstrings. Tess Thompson is the USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of contemporary and historical Romantic Women’s Fiction with nearly 40 published titles. When asked to describe her books, she could never figure out what to say that would perfectly sum them up until she landed on, Hometowns and Heartstrings. She’s married to her prince, Best Husband Ever, and is the mother of their blended family of four kids and five cats. Best Husband Ever is seventeen months younger, which qualifies Tess as a Cougar, a title she wears proudly. Her Bonus Sons are young adults with pretty hair and big brains like their dad. Daughters, better known as Princess One and Two, are teenagers who make their mama proud because they’re kind. They’re also smart, but a mother shouldn’t brag. Tess loves lazy afternoons watching football, hanging out on the back patio with Best Husband Ever, reading in bed, binge-watching television series, red wine, strong coffee and walks on crisp autumn days. She laughs a little too loudly, never knows what to make for dinner, looks ridiculous kickboxing in an attempt to combat her muffin top, and always complains about the rain even though she chose to live in Seattle. She’s proud to have grown up in a small town like the ones in her novels. After graduating from the University of Southern California Drama School, she had hopes of becoming an actress but was called instead to writing fiction. She’s grateful to spend most days in her office matchmaking her characters while her favorite cat Mittens (shhh…don’t tell the others) sleeps on the desk. She adores hearing from readers, so don’t hesitate to say hello or sign up for her newsletter: http://tesswrites.com/. You’ll receive an ebook copy of her novella, The Santa Trial, for your efforts. Much to her father’s horror, you can find her everywhere on social media. BookBub: http://bit.ly/2esOcrn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessTh... Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2vClTfX Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tesswrites Twitter: https://twitter.com/tesswrites Instagram: https://instagram.com/tessielouwrites Please note: Tess is not affiliated with the writing duo of Charlene Tess and Judi Thompson.

548 Market St PMB 65688, San Francisco California 94104-5401 USA
© 2025 Paratext Inc. All rights reserved
The Duke's Legacy