The Reluctant Marquess – The Duke’s Daughters PrequelMarquess Hugh Seaworth is far too busy enjoying himself in London to think about matrimony. Despite being next in line to a Dukedom, Hugh wants to get as much enjoyment out of life as he can before he is forced to settle down.However, his father, the current Duke of Westbrook, has other plans.When an unknown young lady steps out of the carriage … steps out of the carriage and into his life, Hugh is forced to reconsider his plans for London. Miss Marjory Newton, daughter of Viscount Harrington, apparently needs a husband and Hugh finds himself encumbered with that responsibility.
Having no choice but to help Miss Newton, Hugh quickly presents her to a few suitable gentlemen, only to realize that matters such as matrimony take longer than just a few hasty introductions. The more he becomes involved with Miss Newton, the more he discovers that it is not only his mind that is caught up with her – it is his heart.
Miss Newton, however, shows no inclination towards him and, when one of her suitors proposes, Hugh finds himself caught between his duty and his heart. Which one will win out in the end?
Can the love of a good woman change a man?
“The Reluctant Marquess” is a work of historical romance fiction. It is a prequel to the series, The Duke’s Daughters, and is the final book of the series. It is a standalone romance set in Regency era London involving the Duke of Westbrook as a young man. Every book is a guaranteed HEA and there are no cliffhangers.
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I enjoyed these characters. The juxtaposition of innocence against a rogues freedom. It was wonderful to see them both develop and work through their emotions and thoughts.
Boring, boring, boring! Very boring – enough said
Great read
Marquess Hugh Seaworth was laughing at his rowdy friend chasing a lady around after the ball ended. Hugh was sticking around to check on the host who had passed out drunk under a table. As the firstborn son of the Duke of Westbrook, Hugh was having his fun now because he realized the responsibility that would one day be his, unlike his younger brother who would have continual freedom to do whatever he pleased. He was looking forward to tomorrow night’s masquerade ball.
But when Hugh returned home, the butler told him his brother, Rodger, was visiting. Hugh said not to wake Rodger since he would see him in the morning when he himself had some time to sleep. But early in the morning, the heavy pounding on his bedroom door finally woke him. Hugh assumed Rodger had come at his father’s request to tell him yet again to return from London. But the real reason was that his father was ill and might not recover. Hugh was painfully aware that he was not ready to take on the responsibilities of the title if something happened to his father. In fact, on the ride home with Rodger, he was surprised to learn more about his family had hadn’t known. Rodger, who refused to confide in him, was considering proposing to a woman he had been seeing. His sister was due to have a baby; and his father had a close friendship with a lady of good breeding whom he may see at the Duke’s house – and Rodger firmly told Hugh to be civil to her. Had he been gone so long that he knew none of this?
Fortunately when they arrived, the Duke was feeling much better and was sitting up. His disappointment in Hugh was obvious; but he had some information that would greatly affect Hugh’s future in London. As Hugh and Rodger joined the Duke later, he told them an old friend who had since died had asked him to sponsor his daughter, Miss Molly Newton, for her first Season in London. Now he would need Hugh to do that for him. That would mean Hugh’s own fun times were over since he would have a ward and her companion to watch over.
Hugh was sulking and ignored everyone, staying in his room at his London home until Rodger had enough and brought Molly to him so she could ask about the balls he should taking her to. He selected one, and when she came down the staircase, he was speechless at how lovely she looked. When she danced with the young men who had filled her dance card, he felt strange, perhaps envious? Even the next morning, as she joined him at breakfast, 4 bouquets of flowers were delivered! Hugh went through the cards and turned down the first 3; by the fourth, Molly was so hopeful and Hugh could not think of anything wrong with the gentleman. So he agreed he could call on her and she was to write to him immediately. Rodger laughed at Hugh, saying his task would seem to be easier than he had expected! Why then, was Hugh feeling jealousy and a mixture of other emotions he had never felt before?
This was an excellent story to give the reader insight into Hugh’s life as a young man, before he became the Duke of Westbrook that we knew so well from the other books in this series. He had a rough time of it, but the author takes the reader along the painful journey of having to grow up to accept responsibility; and we see his capacity for deep love for family reassert itself. Don’t miss this prequel – it adds so much richness to the series!
It started off a little slow. But keep with it and you will enjoy it thoroughly.
Written from the male perspective makes this romantic story more thoughtful.
A surprising story of change, love and surprises.
This is the prequel to Dukes Daughters series and could be read as standalone.
Beautiful characters and environment… You will love it…
A fantastic way to spend some time.
A book for all that love regency tale.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was the story of Hugh, Duke Seacrest, when he met and courted Molly, the mother of the Duke’s Daughters. It gave a totally different perspective of him in his younger years and a nice look at his bride, Molly. I thought This book brought everything full circle and brought a nice conclusion to this series.
I received an ARC copy of this book. This is my voluntary review with my own personal opinions. “Vicki from Wyoming”
I enjoyed this 128 page Recency Romance. Both of the main characters were likeable. I didn’t feel like it was boring or too repetitive.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an entertaining and sweet story. Hugh has been a rake and a wastrel for his entire adult life. Now he has to chaperone Molly while she looks for a husband, which means being on his best behavior. Shockingly, he finds it no hardship, and doesn’t miss the the way things were. He doesn’t realize that it’s Molly herself that is making him want to be better, because he’s falling in love with her. Molly is a sweet, considerate lady. She finds herself disturbed by the type of gentleman Hugh claims to be, because all she sees is a kind and caring man, who she is developing feelings for.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksprout. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
This book is the prequel to the Dukes Daughters. It’s interesting to see the beloved fathers life before he married and had the daughters. Lord Seawoth has no desire to give up his reckless life in London. When his father sends his brother to fetch him home , he reluctantly goes. Upon arrival he is greeted by his father and informed he must see to Miss Molly Newton’s having a successful season in London. With her father gone and the Duke promising her father he would see her suitable wed. Lord Seaworth is not happy about this but is happy to return to London. As he lines up suitors for her he discovers his old bad habits no longer appeal to him. Perhaps it’s time to grow up. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review! I really enjoyed this book. It has a lot of information about the ton that I didn’t know
I loved this book! Lord Seaworth wasn’t interested in marriage at all. He felt he had plenty of time for that later. But when his father ask him and his brother to introduce Molly to society, everything changed. He fell for Molly but was afraid she wouldn’t accept him or his love. Lord Donahue wanted Molly for his wife. But Molly soon realized she wanted much more than a friend for a husband. She fell in love with Lord Seaworth as well. This book is very well written and very interesting, I truly enjoyed it!
I thought that the book was well written. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was wonderful to see how selfish Hugh ,who cared only for his self, turn him self around. With him falling in love with Molly, he changed for the better. He became the kind of man that he wanted her to fall in love with. It was really great to read how they realized that they were in love with each other.
The Reluctant Marquess by Rose Pearson is a delight to read. Miss Molly must figure out who she wants to stand by her side forever in just companionship, friends or does she want love, and passion. Lord Seaworth as he falls in love with Molly changes his ways from a gambling, drinking, womanizing rake into a gentlemen he should have been all along.
you will get to read how this couple comes to change. My free opinion. Thanks.
I tore through this book much faster than I expected, but I was quickly drawn into the story and had to find out what would happen between our hero and heroine. Seaworth has grown accustomed to living a carefree life, enjoying all the pleasures possible, before entering into Dukedom once his father passes on. But after a brief illness, his father forces him to a task of taking a deceased friend’s daughter, Molly, back with him to London so that he may help her find her future husband during the Season, much to his chagrin as that will take away from the fun he had planned for himself. I had so much fun with this book. Seaworth’s eyes are opened wide to life thanks to Molly, and seeing the way their relationship developed was such a delight. The book left me with such a warm feeling, and I can see myself gladly reading it again.
This is a story about the parents of the daughters in the first books in the series (The Duke’s Daughters), but it is completely a standalone story you do not need to have read the previous ones for. I am fairly new to Rose Pearson’s books, and I had no trouble with it…I’m actually glad I read this before diving into the rest of the series, which I will gladly do, to get the background on the future Duke.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and so glad I did.
This was another great story! I enjoyed reading about Hugh’s change of ways to be the gentleman Molly deserved.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.