Spinster Miss Eleanor Lockhart is suddenly homeless and employment is her only option. Ruined after succumbing to a scoundrel’s excessive charm nearly a decade ago, she’s lucky to obtain a position as a paid companion and committed to behaving with the utmost propriety. She definitely shouldn’t be in the arms of a man capable of utterly destroying what little remains of her reputation…
Titus … reputation…
Titus St. John, Duke of Kendal, is known as the Forbidden Duke, a mysterious, intimidating figure who enters Society just once each year at his stepmother’s ball. A decade ago, he was a devil-may-care rake until his idle roguery brought about the ruin of Eleanor Lockhart—and his resulting self-imposed isolation. Now she’s back, and she needs his help. But by “saving” her, he may just ruin her life all over again.
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Enjoyed the characters
This was fantastic! I loved the fact that Titus was not as dumb as most alpha males in books. It did not take falling in love for him to realize he was an arrogant womanizing (insert curse word here). No, he realizes it himself after someone in his group of friends ruins a girl. He exiles himself from people and refuses to take part in the social conventions that lead to a young girl getting ruined if she trusts the wrong man. I loved the fact that he realizes it himself and punishes himself despite not being the one to ruin the girl! A man with a conscience…a rare thing in a book to be sure. Especially alpha males. Despite that Titus is, in fact, a very alpha male. The forbidden duke punishes himself so much that ten years later he still won’t let himself, love.
Enter Eleanor. She is the ruined girl (now woman) Titus is punishing himself for. She realizes her mistake immediately and because of that, she is a homebody. She ruined not only herself but her younger sister’s chances. Thus when a risky venture bankrupts her family she has no place to go. Her sister is married to a vicar who refuses to let her stay with them because of her reputation. Her father is moving out in the middle of nowhere with a relative that has room for only him (I find it deplorable he did not provide her with the first place he could and put himself second as it is his fault they have no money and she is his child).
She ends up being a companion to Titus’s stepmother. Right off the bat, you see her as the kind, but the strong, woman she is. She is so compassionate you worry she will let others take advantage of that kindness. Titus helps her past that, just as she helps him past his pain until finally, they find a way to come together…despite his insistence he will only help her find love and go back to never participating again.
The characters and were great, wonderful people, that make up a strange but wonderful family. I really hope to see more of them and their good deeds in future books.
The book was well written and held my interest till the end.
too repetitive, stilted dialog
I enjoy this time period and would love to see more books available with this humor and style Thank you! For the nice read .
Historical British Society up and ups are horrible, degrading, and unbelievable they way they think!!!!!!
To much sex.
Love her books.
The Forbidden Duke is an amazing historical romance by Darcy Burke. This is a fairly quick read, perfect for those with limited reading time. Ms. Burke has delivered a well-written book filled with outstanding characters. Eleanor’s reputation was ruined years ago and now finds herself suddenly homeless and must take a position as a companion. Titus is the Duke of Kendal and while he didn’t ruin Eleanor, he feels guilty that he did play a part in her disgrace. Titus and Eleanor’s story is loaded with drama, humor and sizzlin’ hot sex. This book captured me from the first page and held me hostage until the last. I enjoyed every page and look forward to my next book by Darcy Burke. The Forbidden Duke is book 1 of The Untouchables Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
Nora and Titus enjoy witty dialogue, excellent plotting, and best of all, an HEA! Five stars.
A very good love story. I recommend it
The characters brought to life what this era could have been like for a woman. Not only one who was betrayed, but any woman in English society.
This is a plot we’ve seen before, but the male protagonist is a nice change of pace. Yes, her reputation was ruined, but he wasn’t out there acting like a rake, he actually went into a kind of exile himself. I liked both of the main characters, and I fond the book entertaining and engaging. A fun beach read, or perfect for a cold winter’s evening.
kept my interest. Good read
A darling book about second chances for both h/H – insightful about double standards for women versus men – likeable characters, and fun to read.
I really liked this Regency Romance with an “on the shelf” spinster of 27 years. She survived scandal and then nine years of isolation in the country with a father who didn’t pay much attention to her future. Her plan for her future gets hijacked and the plot has several twists along the road to a HEA. The character development was very good for the three main cast members; the quick character sketches of those annoying social toadies were excellent! This was a quick read 2-3 hours that kept my attention all the way through. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Nine years ago, Nora left London under the cloak of scandal. Now forced to make a living, Nora becomes the companion to a Duchess, the step-mother of the Forbidden Duke, a man who was instrumental in her ruin. Can love bring forgiveness? Excellent read!
Not a full length novel but the author was able to give the main characters enough depth to bring them alive.
As a first read by this author, it was a very good surprise.
Darcy Burke portrayed perfectly how women in this era paid the price for human sins.
A simple kiss ruined Eleanor’s reputation a decade ago, while the other party had just a simple slap on his fingers. Now she is back to London’s society as a lady’s companion. She is no more the green girl she was, she has no more the same vision and hope from the ton. She left her dreams of a family and love behind until her employer decides she will be her project, a second chance with a new season amount the society.
The Duke of Kendall is one of the Untouchables, and known as the Forbidden Duke, as he nearly retired for society obligation 10 years ago, his sole apparition is at his stepmother’s ball for one dance with an unknown lady who will become then the pearl of the season. He never expected his stepmother ward to be the woman who he felt responsible for taking part of her ruination, nor he expected to fall for her.
I loved Nora/Eleanor’s courage, she had to give up everything and it costed a lot to her and her sister. But even having lost everything, she can’t resolve to simply marry given a second chance just to secure a safe position.
Kendal is not the most pleasant of the men, but he knows how to attract attention and also keep his wall high to avoid disturbance. But for once, he longs for more when he is around Nora.
It was no fairytale but not so far with its version of the Godmother in Kendal’s stepmother.
A good introduction to a new author.
This book was a fantastic way to spend my day!
I am going back and re-reading this series – I had forgotten the end of this book when new lady friends meet & how the men got the name “The Untouchables”. I loved Titus St. John, The Duke of Kendal also know as The Forbidden Duke who lives a secluded/private life. He has redeemed his youthful, rakish ways for the last 9 years after he helped ruin a young lady her London Season & caused disappointment to his father. He now only attends his stepmother’s ball once a year & dances the first dance with a young lady needing a boost in society. When he meets his stepmother’s new companion, Miss Eleanor Lockhart, he recognizes who she is & also, starts having feelings he never had before. Will she remember him, before he became a Duke? Will the secret he is keeping ruin his chances with Eleanor?
This is a great book about the Regency Ton & its rules & also, the misguided, careless youth & their second chance to right a wrong & fall in love. I highly recommend this book & all the books in this series – you won’t be disappointed!