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Rogues to Riches, Book 4
From the publisher:
Nathaniel, Duke of Rothhaven, lives in seclusion, leaving his property only to gallop his demon-black steed across the moors by moonlight. Exasperated mamas invoke his name to frighten small children, though Nathaniel is truly a decent man — maybe too decent for his own good. That’s precisely why he must turn away the beguiling woman demanding his help.
Lady Althea Wentworth has little patience for dukes, reclusive or otherwise, but she needs Rothhaven’s backing to gain entrance into Polite Society. She’s asked him nicely, she’s called on him politely, all to no avail — until her prize hogs just happen to plunder the ducal orchard. He longs for privacy. She’s vowed to never endure another ball as a wallflower. Yet as the two grow closer, it soon becomes clear they might both be pretending to be something they’re not.
This was a bit darker than I was expecting and brought to light one of the real crimes of the Regency era. I don’t want to give anything away, because the reader doesn’t find out what is going on at the Rothhaven estate until quite a ways into the book.
The Duke is the odd loner of the small Yorkshire town, way outside of London. After five unsuccessful seasons, Althea has refused to leave the family’s country estate, next door to Northhaven, for the London season. While her brother is a Duke, Althea has been tormented each year by society. She is scorned and ridiculed, but only in the most polite ways and she is just sick to death of it.
After her prize-winning pigs invade Northhaven, Althea forces a meeting with the Duke. She wants him to help her learn to navigate society. He gives her a few good pointers but declines to help any further. But one thing leads to another, and they end up spending some time together.
There is something mysterious going on at the Duke’s house, and he is disinclined to explain. Althea is very attracted to the Duke, and to his chagrin, he is attracted to her as well. There are many hurdles here before these two can reach their happily ever after, and the journey is a worthwhile one.
5/2020 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™
A DUKE BY ANY OTHER NAME by Grace Burrowes. Forever (April 28, 2020). ISBN 978-1538700327. 384p.
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