Can love grow between a reluctant duke and an illegitimate shop girl?Read Book 4 in the bestselling “The St. Clairs” series for free with Kindle Unlimited!Anthony Godwin, trusted staff officer to the Duke of Wellington, returns from the Napoleonic Wars to learn both his father and brother are dead and he is the new Duke of Linfield. His anger and bitterness have grown through the years and he … have grown through the years and he despises the Linfield name—because his father gave Anthony away when he was eight years old. Now he finds himself a part of the ton, with men seeking his advice and women vying to become his new duchess, all because of a title he now holds and never wanted.
Laurel Wright grew up in poverty. When her mother dies, Laurel learns she and her twin brother are the illegitimate offspring of the deceased Duke of Everton. Penniless and starving, she turns to the new Duke of Everton in desperation. Suddenly, Laurel is swept into a glittering, unfamiliar world as she is launched into the Season. Navigating her way proves daunting and when she is discovered in a compromising position with a man she’s only met, it leads to a quick marriage in which both partners agree that love will never be a part of their relationship.
Anthony never wanted a wife and is abruptly saddled with one. He tries to keep his distance from the raven-haired beauty who is now his duchess, but Laurel proves to be irresistible. Passion erupts between them and he finds himself longing for a child, though he fights growing closer to this new wife.
Will Laurel and Anthony be able to put the past behind them—and let love rule their future?
Find the answer in bestselling author Alexa Aston’s fourth book of The St. Clairs, Defending the Duke.
Each book in The St. Clairs Trilogy is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.
The St. Clairs
Book #1 Devoted to the Duke
Book #2 Midnight with the Marquess
Book #3 Embracing the Earl
Book #4 Defending the Duke
Book #5 Suddenly a St. Clair (Coming soon!)
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I think its my favourite in the series
Laurel and her brother Hudson live in poverty in a bad neighborhood in London. They each work more than one job to support their ailing mother and themselves. A series of unfortunate events result in a complete upheaval in their lifestyles as Laurel locates her father’s family for help.
Thinking her father’s children would wish not to associate with she and her brother, Laurel is surprised that the two of them are graciously welcomed into the family. Hudson will be given an education and she launched into society.
It is during the start of her introduction into the ton she meets Anthony, the reluctant Duke of Linfield. He really has no desire to be a duke, a brother, husband, family member, or anything but an angry man. He spent most of his life in the military and has little need to be with anyone. If not for his aunt and her request that he escort his younger sister to events, he’s go nowhere but his boxing club.
Not really knowing each other, not even certain they like each other, Laurel and Anthony are caught in a compromising situation at her come out ball. As such things go, it’s marriage or ruination.
The two are thrust into marriage, and yet they both are drawn to the idea of making something more. It becomes a wonderful tale with romance and heat that has a conflict that must be faced toward the end.
I really enjoyed this story and hope Laurel’s twin Hudson is as lucky in a tale in the future. I highly recommend this book, and the series.
Laurel Wright has been poor her entire life, when she discovers she is a half sister to the St. Claire’s she comes up with a plan to help her and her twin brother to start a new life. What she doesn’t expect is that they are welcomed with open arms and brought into a world she never dreamed she would be a part of. Anthony Godwin the second and unwanted son returns to find out he is the new Duke of Linfield. After growing up angry and bitter, and unloved now is thrown into the status he never wanted. Anthony knows he must marry and produce a heir. Anthony is attracted to Laurel and she is definitely not the kind of wife he wants, beautiful and intelligent, but when he and Laurel are caught kissing he strikes a deal with Laurel they will marry and she will be able to do as she pleases after she produces a heir. I really enjoyed this story! There is so much to this story. Anthony is so damaged and I loved watching him heal. Wonderful story and a definite must read.
My new favorite book of Alexa’s in this series! Yes, I said that about the last one, but she keeps getting better and better if that is possible! A story of the heart, once awakened and with the right amount of care, can lead to a wonderful love.
Anthony Godwin had been left by his father, the Duke of Linfield at eight years old in the care of his aunt. His father never looked back. Anthony Godwin was eight years old and he had been getting in fights all his life.
Laurel Wright was working several jobs as was her twin brother, just to have food and shelter for them and her mother. Unfortunately things turned from bad to worse as her mother passes away and an evil man made her life unbearable. What to do? She finds a letter from her “father” whom her mother never spoke of but knew he had abandoned her. Everton.
These two souls come together as Laurel finds her long lost family with ties to the St Clairs. Can they heal each other and find happiness? There is nobody that deserved it more than Anthony and Laurel.
An amazing story of strength through finding family and love….
I love reading this series. Each book is so full of interesting situations that only love and understanding help. Anthony Goodwin has been alone all his life. His father wanted nothing to do with him as he was the spare and not needed. Anthony was sent to his Aunt to live and when he turned 18 a solicitor arrived with a bought commission for the army. Bought by his father to keep him away from home. When he returned home after the war, he was greeted by the news of the death of his father and brother. Guess who became a Duke and what was he to do now? Laurel Wright and her twin brother grew up in the worst part of London and they worked very hard to provide income for food and lodging. After their mother dies, Laurel find evidence of their unknown father. As pressure and the need of money grows, Laurel decides to find her father’s family. This is truly an emotional story that makes you turn the pages and keep reading.
Anthony Goodwin has been struggling with his temper all his life thanks to the behavior of his father and older brother. His father only had time for his eldest son and heir, and when his lonely younger son acted out to gain attention is caused the oppostite to happen.
Many years later and back from the war, that younger son is now the new Duke and still struggles to control his rage.
Laurel Wright and her twin brother work very hard but still struggle to keep themselves and their mother fed. When their mother dies and Laurel is put under pressure by the landlord they know it’s time to run. A letter she finds in her mother’s belongings show her where to start.
This is a very emotional story that shows us just how strong familial love can be. It can thaw the coldest hearts and heal many wounds. Lovely characters that you can’t help but fall in love with and the return of old friends from previous books in the series. You don’t need to have read the others to enjoy this one but it will tempt you to read them as well.
I loved it.
I love Regency Romance. It’s a favorite sub-genre and I’ve probably written hundreds of reviews (literally: I review a lot) on Regency tales I’ve enjoyed. Yes somehow I totally missed Alexa Aston. Pretty surprising considering just how many books she’s written in this sub-genre. In fact, I only discovered her because of her first non-Regency series, Hollywood Name Game (highly recommended, by the way). Well, I loved that so of course had to try her The St. Clairs series of Regency tales. Well, now (thanks to having Kindle Unlimited) I’ve poured through all of these, starting with Jeremy snd Catherine’s story in Devoted to the Duke (Book 1) through the last in the series, Suddenly a St. Clair (Book 5). All I can say is that each of these was just perfect. Period appropriate (a requirement for me to really enjoy a Regency) with wonderfully crafted characters and a truly enjoyable and interesting plot. Each book had it all. Totally fun to read, I am more than happy to highly recommend each of these wonderful stories, and am definitely looking forward to reading this author’s other Regency romances.