A Lady of impeccable manners, a Duke who is a charming rogue, an Autumn sojourn in Bath, a dare, a secret passion, an enduring love found.Lady Eugenia Rutherford is the ‘good girl’ sibling – and now that both her brother and her sister are married and happy, she is beginning to wonder if she will ever fall in love. She had made being proprietously perfect her life’s mission, but now, it is … it is starting to feel dull – and she quietly longs for adventure, but doubts she will ever dare to seize it.
Morris Woodfield, the Duke of Oakthorpe, has always rebelled against the strictures of society – enough to be known as a rogue, but never quite enough to be ostracised. He is in Bath to visit his aunt, and escape the pressures of his title, and his mother’s obsessive attempts to find him a wife, for a while.
When the Duke meets Lady Eugenia, that Autumn in Bath, he initially thinks she is dull – until he realises that there is far more to her than that perfectly presented surface – so he sets out to amuse himself by discovering exactly what hides under it. By the end of their time in Bath, they are both changed, with secrets revealed, and dares given and met, without either ever speaking of the feelings that have grown between them.
Will they each leave Bath, and leave love behind, or will they admit their true feelings for each other, before it is too late?
Read the other books in this series from Arietta!
The Duke and the Spinster
To Dance with the Dangerous Duke
If you love regency romance, and characters with real depth, you’ll love these!
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Reading historical novels remains a wonderful activity. This story is beautifully constructed in which Morris tries to seduce a neat young woman to take scandalous actions without jeopardizing her reputation. Slowly but surely he discovers more sides to her and he realizes that Eugenia is more than she shows in the outside world.
Only when both have left Bath and are back home do they realize their feelings for each other.
Wonderful story with well-placed personalities. Highly recommended for those who love historical novels!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lady Eugenia tried to always be proper, never wanting a reason to cause a scandal, but underneath lies a soul with passion and artistry. Morris, the Duke of Oakthrope was a bit of a rogue and he was intrigued by how good Eugenia was and that she rebuffed his attentions. When he discovers she secretly designs more flattering and daring gowns he is intrigued, but stubborn in his wishes not to take a wife just yet. They both have feelings, but won’t admit them. There were plenty of funny moments in this Regency romance. I loved that she secretly drew gowns.
This is a wonderful story with charm, laughs and drama. what a fun delightful plot. Loved the characters. They each received what they needed, not exactly what they thought they wanted and that was to fall in love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Duke in Autumn is the third book in the Nettleford Chronicles series and was the first book I have read of the series. It was a sweet Regency romance to read and full of witty banter. Lady Eugenia was a “good girl” and being the perfect debutante was her goal. She was always proper but had started to feel like she needed to experience life. Morris, the Duke of Oakthorpe, has always laughed at Society’s silly rules. While visiting Bath and meeting Lady Eugenia, he decides to discover if Eugenia might be adventurous under her mask of perfection. Between Morris and Lady Annet’s suggestions, Eugenia starts to be braver and more adventurous. Can a “good girl” and a “rogue” find happiness together?
The fifth book in The Nettlefold Chronicles series a story that had me smiling as I read. Lady Eugenia Rutherford is a good girl who has always followed the rules set by society, she meets Morris Woodfield, the Duke of Oakthorpe a rogue. I enjoyed reading their story and seeing her come into her own person. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lady Eugenia Rutherford was startled at the blunt comment by her neighbor, Morris Woodfield, the Duke of Oakthorpe, concerning the awful taste of the healthy waters in Bath. He was staying next door with his Aunt in Bath, primarily to avoid his mother’s matchmaking efforts. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy teasing Eugenia, or at least shocking her sensibilities. With her high level of propriety causing her to always be a proper lady, it entices his roguish naughtiness and he finds her discomfort delightful. He doesn’t suspect she would secretly enjoy a very small adventure, just for the thrill of it. But as they get to know each other better, he realizes she is not actually as boring as he had first assumed, and it becomes his project to find out more about the real person beneath the rigidly proper lady’s veneer.
The story line shows the reader how their relationship grows with wonderful dialog, surprises, and gentle humor. Both characters are subtly changed by the other in a very good way. It’s almost as if they don’t realize how much they are starting to mean to each other. Will they speak of how they feel before they have to leave Bath? Or will they pass up the chance to find their own perfect match in each other?
Lady Eugenia Rutherford is practically perfect in every way. She would never do anything untoward that might compromise her reputation. Deep down, however, she harbors a bit of a rebel and when Morris Woodfield, the Duke of Oakthorpe dares her to step out of her comfort zone, she takes a few small steps. Little does he realize the effect his challenge will have upon her life, his life and the fashion scene in Bath.
I have always found Arietta Richmond’s books entertaining without the tension of explicit intimacy. Keep the romance in the drawing room not the bedroom. She writes an atmospheric prose that makes me want to jump into the book to visit the locations and people that she writes about. Her books are a great introduction to Regency romances while having enough substance to keep an avid Regency reader entertained and engaged.
I received an ARC of the book from the author with her expectation that I would provide an honest opinion of the book.