Emma Barrington will do anything to save her father’s business…and some men seek to take advantage of that fact. As the daughter of a bookkeeper, Emma Barrington works in her father’s lowly office dreaming of better days. Without the necessary funds to even buy a new dress, she has forsaken any chance at love and instead dedicates her time in retaining her father’s accounts. When a client demands … client demands an explanation for an accounting error, it is Emma who must confront the infamous ‘Duke of Storms’.
Lucas Redstone, Duke of Rainierd, has a vile temper that has served him well thus far. Many men fear him to the point that he bears the moniker of Duke of Storms with pride. Although his temper aids in his business life, it has made the task of finding a formidable bride difficult. That is, until he meets Emma, the woman sent to correct his accounts, and to his bewilderment, a woman who does not fear him.
In order to save her father’s business, Emma agrees to continue working with the duke but soon fears his motives may not be true. And Lucas begins to wonder if the innocent woman who is softening his heart is doing so in order to increase her own wealth.
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Emma and Lucas had quite a ways to go before they could get a HEA. With Lucas being a Duke and her being a bookkeeper’s daughter, their attraction was doomed from the start. But can love really conquer all? Can the Duke get a hold on his stormy temper? Will Emma’s secrets keep them apart? Good story with strong characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Was it just an infatuation
Emma is the daughter of a bookkeeper who just happens to work for Lucas Redstone the Duke of Rainierd and a right unpleasant man he is. His nickname the Duke of Storms is very much deserved. Now reading that you might think that he is a bad guy but no there is another fly in the ointment and is a dirty dog. With danger, misunderstanding blended into a fun historical romance this was a delight to read. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Emma Barrington is the daughter of a bookkeeper and works for her father, though everyone seems to be struggling financially. She has held back on her dreams of finding love – having been saving her wages for a year to buy a new dress – and in the meantime, she dedicates herself completely to taking care of the books for her father’s accounts. Finally able to go to the dress shop with enough money for the new dress, she sees the baker’s wife and daughter. The baker had died, leaving much debt and no money. His now homeless wife and child were trying to go to a relative’s home for a new start, but it was a distance away and they had no money. So Emma pressed her purse into Mrs. Shilvers’ hand and wished them a new and better start in their new life.
Lucas Redstone, Duke of Rainierd, has rightly earned his reputation and nickname as the “Duke of Storms” with the vile temper he unleashes in his business dealings. He is certain he is seeing a huge accounting error and finds out the man who delivered his books can’t even read or write to explain it. When the man tells him Miss Emma, Barrington’s daughter, is in charge, Lucas figures she took it upon herself, while her father is out of town, to try to work on his accounts and messed it up! When he gets riled up enough to demand an explanation of the accounting error and goes out in the pouring rain to see the bookkeeper face-to-face, he is amazed that the woman he confronts is not afraid of him at all!
The Duke demands that Mr. Barrington come to his home and go over the books. Instead, Emma walked there to meet with him, and he would not let her speak as he ended their services with him. But her father was not a quitter and she would not be one either, so she turned back and opened the door to have her say! The Duke had a newfound respect for the woman as she pulled back her strong emotions and took control of herself. He needed to be able to do that for his own raging temper. She told him an error was not hers and she had the ability to check his receipts and find what was wrong. He told her he wanted her to come to his home; he would pay her and would offer his carriage to bring her. When she hesitated, he asked her also if she would teach him organization skills. So she finally agrees.
Emma works with the Duke but begins to doubt his true motives. And the Duke, finding himself having feelings for her and insecure about it, begins to mistrust her motives as well as perhaps just a way to gain money from him. Will they explore their situation more and clarify their intentions? Or will insecurity, anger, and mistrust escalate the situation out of control – before they realize they may be falling in love?
I really enjoyed this book. I figured that it would a good one when I saw that Emma was not a typical woman of that time period, instead working at a profession for her father and not allowing herself to be intimidated. Her confident manner and strength kept a smile on my face, because I knew when she met her “stormy” Duke, that she would give him something to think about! Grab your copy and enjoy!
Book four in the Regency Hearts series a well written story. Emma Barrington works in her Father’s bookkeeping business office and she meets Lucas Redstone, Duke of Rainierd,when there is an accounting error in his accounts. Lucas because of his temper has the moniker of Duke of Storms which he bears with pride. There will be misunderstandings between these two that will have to be straightened out before they get their happy ending. I enjoyed reading this book.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.