Lord Alexander Pemberton, second son of the Duke of Bedford, has spent his life being reminded of his less than revered position in the family. So when he loses the love of his life, Lady Patience, to an arranged marriage with his brother, a heartbroken Alex joins the military. Four years later, he’s called home to assume the title after his brother’s death. Though he’s unprepared for his new … responsibilities, Alex is stunned to discover that Patience never married his brother. And that he’s now expected to marry her…
Once carefree and innocent, years of bullying at the hands of her fiance and her father have left Patience Browning jaded. And now that her father expects her to marry Alex, she knows promises made in their youth aren’t enough to overcome what life has done to them. Alex is not the same man he was before war, and she can’t marry someone who doesn’t love her. But real love can grow and transform, if only Patience could believe that.
Each book in the Lords & Ladies in Love series is STANDALONE:
* Seducing the Marquess
* Marrying the Wrong Earl
* Denying the Duke
* Wagering For Miss Blake
* Captivating the Earl
more
Lady Patience met and Lord Alex Pemberton, second son of the Duke of Bedford, when she was just sixteen and he was twenty. As sweet love blooms between them, Patience is horrified to learn that her father has bethrothed her to Alex’s older brother and heir. The young love they harbored was torn apart and Alex leaves to join the military, knowing the woman he loves is forever gone from his life. Four years later, Alex learns his brother has died and he is now the Duke of Bedford. Patience and Alex are vastly different people now. Can they find a way back to each other?
This book deals with serious issues of abuse and PTSD. Ms. Hutton does a great job highlighting how helpless women were in the Regency period. They were either owned by their father or their husband without much choice in how they wanted to live their lives. I could feel the desperation of both Patience and her mother as her father’s explosive anger lands on them and also the horrifying nightmares that plagued Alex from his time in war. There was a good subplot of a traitor to the Crown running around London, bent on revenge against Alex. That was interesting and kept the story moving forward. I really enjoyed this story and fans of Regency romance will definitely enjoy it as well.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
WORDY
Great character development with unpredictable plot twist. Very enjoyable to the very end.
Love and danger. What can happen when you keep a secret from your wife!!
All the books in this series are wonderful. I can’t wait to read the next book.
It was interesting that the couple connected, love at first sight, and their parents had other ideas. They both. Are devastated. He goes into service for the crown, thinking she marries his brother. The way the story developed was interesting and romantic how they found each other and reconnected in the end.
Four years ago the hopes and plans Alex and Patience had for a future together were shattered when they learned that their fathers announced that Patience was to be betrothed to Alex’s brother Cyrus, heir to the dukedom. Devastated, Alex convinced his grandfather to buy him a commission in the army. He spent three years on the continent in war. He spent the last year in America chasing and capturing a traitor (who managed to escape shortly after he was turned over to authorities). Just before his return to England, he received word that his father and brother had died, Cyrus recently in rather scandalous circumstances, and that he was now the duke.
Upon his arrival back home, Alex discovers that Cyrus and Patience never married. He is pleased, but doesn’t know what that means for him and Patience. Almost immediately the Earl of Wilton begins to push Alex to marry Patience. The couple still cares for each other, but both have changed and would like some time to get to know each other again. Alex would like to learn to handle his duties and responsibilities as Duke, before they take a permanent step. Patience wants to be free of her abusive tyrant of a father. She simply wants someone to love her for herself. Is it possible these two will find in each other what they need to be happy? It looks a little doubtful for a while.
Denying the Duke has an interesting, slightly complicated plot that unfolds as the hero and heroine take a long ride on an emotional roller coaster. There are secrets, plots, betrayal, mystery, kidnapping, a little bit of humor, and of course, romance. Alex is plagued by nightmares of the war and filled with uncertainty about his new life. Patience does come across as immature, but that can be contributed to the abusive life she has had. She has never had a chance to experience life and grow up. There is a lot for Alex and Patience to work out. Alex’s friends and Patience’s cousin are wonderful characters who are there to help them find their way. All in all, an entertaining read that holds your attention from beginning to end.