The Duke and the Widow by Christina Diane

She craves passion, not promises. He seeks solace, not love. But when their hearts collide, can they leave the past behind—or will it destroy them both?

Rosina
Lady Rosina Preston has no intention of falling in love again. After losing her husband, she’s content with fleeting pleasures and stolen moments. But when a country house party leads her into the arms of James, the Duke of St. Albans, she finds herself caught in a whirlwind of desire—and dangerously close to losing her heart.
Can Rosina risk the pain of love a second time, or will her past keep her from embracing the future she deserves?

James
James, the Duke of St. Albans, has spent years hiding behind duty, sacrificing his own happiness to care for his family. But when he meets the enigmatic Rosina, her boldness and beauty awaken a hunger he’s never known.
What begins as a simple affair soon becomes something far more complicated. James must decide: will he guard his heart, or risk it all for the one woman who could change his life forever?
Two hearts scarred by loss. One chance at redemption. A love that could ignite scandal—or heal their deepest wounds.

Note: This is a spicy novella with 5+ explicit scenes and a guaranteed HEA! Content warnings available on author’s website.
Tropes: Virgin MMC, Spirited Heroine, Mutual Traumas, Wanton Widow, She Teaches Him, House Party