The Foundling

"What happens when a many-titled Duke decides to play hookey from his suffociaating dignity..."?Kirkus Reviews

The Duke of Sale is out to prove himself

The shy, young Duke of Sale has never known his parents. Instead, his Grace Adolphus Gillespie Vernon Ware, Gilly for short, has endured twenty-four years of rigorous mollycoddling from his uncle and valet. But his natural diffidence conceals a rebellious spirit.

A mysterious beauty provides the perfect opportunity

When Gilly hears of Belinda, the beautiful foundling who appears to be blackmailing his cousin, he absconds with glee. But he has no sooner entered this new and dangerous world than he is plunged into a frenzy of intrigue, kidnapping, adventure, and surprises at every turn.

"Orphaned at birth, bullied by his well-meaning guardian, hemmed in by the affectionate ministrations of a small army of family retainers, His Grace of Sale had reached the age of 24 without ever making a decision for himself In all his life the titular master of Sale House, duke, marquis, earl, thrice baron, had never so much as selected a cravat for his own wardrobe ... One morning, in a moment of unaccustomed resolution, His Grace made up his mind. 'I shall try to discover,' he decided, 'whether I am a man, or only a duke.'"?New York Times Book Review