The illegitimate child of runaway lovers, lovely young Areta is condemned after her parents' to life in the shadow of her beloved and equally beautiful cousin Lady Millicent… Despised by her aunt and uncle as a "bastard child", she's fated never to be a débutante like Millicent, never to attend glamorous Society balls… and never to marry…
Unless it's as part of her plan to save Millicent from a cynically arranged marriage to the Duke of Kerncliffe! After all, the two girls have always looked so very much alike – how hard can it be? But even she weaves her web of deceit, Areta dreads what will happen when the Duke discovers he's married the Wrong Duchess.

Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world's most famous romantic novelists.  With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.

Writing her first book 'Jigsaw' at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller.  Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years.  In addition to Barbara Cartland's legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA.  In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.

Although she is often referred to as the 'Queen of Romance', Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery.  Becoming one of Britain's most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.