Hi read this historical a few months in 2013 first quarter. it was an e book.where girl already engaged to an earl. But a duke becomes attracted to her and tried convincing her to break off. She keeps resisting. They meet at some exhibit where he pulls her in a dark corner where he makes love to her hoping she will realize she is attracted to duke and demands she break betrothal to the earl; when she refuses ; they are almost discovered .Duke realizes with only a few days left for her wedding to the earl only way to make her break the betrothal is to compromise her. Duke invites her to a party arranged at his country state or home where he arranges for his mother to discover them in a compromising position. Just before the set up scene the h walks in on the earl abusing a maid ******ly (i recall he was beating her ******** with a whip or stick. and the earl tries to attack girl too so she is compromised and forced to marry earl for money i think. but duke comes to rescue and marries girl next morning. Another scene is one where even after being found out by the duke's mother and guests the girl still reluctant to marry. They get married next morning and i recall the duke urges her to got to her room after wedding breakfast and girl is embarassed the mom would realize he wants to bed her. also the duke is away in the country for a few months before coming and is bored by the tons beauties and thinks to himself at some point that how come he missed this girl did she debut while he was in the country. i have searched the net and gone through hundreds of blurbs but still cant find please help. tia

If you find the book, would share the name of it please?

I remember some historical romance I read that has some similarities to your summary, in this case it was the aunt or grandmother of the girl (who I think is well proportioned) who tried to force her to marry an old friend who in the past was her lover, and this friend tried to compromise the girl at night while her grandmother/aunt was in the same room sleeping. It also happened when they were invited to the country state by the sister/mother of the man interested in the girl.

Anyway, if is not how the story goes from what you remember I'd really like to read the one you're looking for.