He's known as the Duke of Daring...but is he brave enough to take on one feisty spinster? The Duke of Darlington is on a mission. He needs to protect his secret gaming hell from a group of debutantes who've stumbled upon his covert business. The problem... Miss Minerva Chase is not the average lady. From the moment his compatriots assign Daring to keep watch over the fiery redhead, she begins stirring trouble. Not only is her tongue sharper than any sword he's faced but her lips are achingly soft while she tosses barb after barb in his direction. He'd like to throttle her, or kiss her, or perhaps protect the very spirit that drives him mad. Minnie knows a pompous, arrogant, infuriating man when she meets one and she will not be intimidated. So what if he's a duke with a secret? She won't bend, not even when she realizes that he pushes her away because he's been hurt before; a hurt she's experienced herself. And she will not give in to his will, even when his kiss lights her body to flame. But when he needs her help... well, that's a little more difficult for a girl to refuse. The problem is that once she's seen his softer side, she's in jeopardy of succumbing to the Duke of Daring. When it comes to love, is she brave enough to give away her heart?