Second Duke's the Charm
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4.6 • 25 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Meet Her Majesty’s Rebels: three brilliant women who run King & Co., London’s most exclusive investigative agency...
The wedding-night death of her much older husband left Tess Townsend the Dowager Duchess of Wansford—and still a virgin. Now she and her two best friends investigate London’s most scandalous crimes, and while Tess longs to experience physical pleasure for herself, she can’t risk losing her treasured independence...
Cynical shipping magnate Justin Thornton never expected to inherit a dukedom, but he’ll do his duty. When the ravishing woman he kissed at a party turns out to be the Dowager Duchess, Justin sees an obvious solution: a marriage of convenience that will suit them both.
But the passion that sparks between them is anything but convenient. As Tess works on a new case at the request of Queen Charlotte, her increasingly suspicious behavior makes Justin question her motives—and her past. The infuriating woman clearly can’t be trusted, but Justin doesn’t believe in love, so there’s absolutely no danger of him falling for his own wife...is there?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bateman (A Wicked Game) opens the Her Majesty's Rebels series with this suspenseful Regency romance. After being forced to marry a frail older duke who dies on their wedding night, Tess Townsend is left as the new Dowager Duchess of Wansford—and still a virgin. Relishing her independence, she dedicates herself to solving crimes with her friends Ellie Law and Daisy Hamilton as partners in the King & Co detective agency. Though Tess occasionally longs for romantic pleasure, her inexperience holds her back. Enter the magnetic Justin Thornton, the new duke of Wansford, with whom Tess shares a sensual encounter during a masked ball. Though Justin has sworn off love, he can't deny his lust for Tess and, after they discover each other's identities, he proposes a mutually beneficial marriage of convenience that would also advance the dukedom. The lovers' banter crackles and their sexual chemistry burns up the pages, but readers will long for more emotional development as their marriage progresses. More successful is the suspense plot as Tess and friends investigate a case solicited by Queen Charlotte herself. The camaraderie between Tess, Ellie, and Daisy as they flaunt the status quo is delightful and spells good things for future installments. Despite some hiccups, this is sure to appeal to Bateman's fans.
Customer Reviews
Delightfully Captivating!
This story is absolute perfection!! The characters are strong and are living their lives as they want to, not how others expect them to live. And these three, close friends that this series is about, are secretly running King & Co. London’s most exclusive investigative agency. Yes three women as investigators! They brings so much to this story, with their friendship, and intelligence that I can’t wait for the next two in the series. The plot is fabulously fun, sweet, steamy and romantic with a touch of intrigue. Then add in the tropes of a secret virgin, widow, marriage of convenience, secret crush, working heroine, and unexpected inheritance and you have a fantastic story.
This is the story of Tess Townsend the Dowager Duchess of Wansford and Justin Thornton a shipping magnate who has just been given the title of the Duke of Wansford.
Tess Townsend wedding-night death of her repulsive, older husband left her not only the Dowager Duchess of Wansford… but also still a virgin. Although she loves her independence and freedom to investigate with her friends, she also longs to find out what lust is all about without getting married.
Justin Thornton, finds that through the great misfortune of several others death he is now the new Duke of Wansford. He doesn’t really want the title since he has already has a fortune from his shipping business and feels that a title will attract too much attention to him. When he stops at a house party he meets and has a delicious encounter with a mysterious woman who he calls Scarlet, because of her red dress. But not until he sees that same red dress in the ballroom in London does he find out that the Dowager Duchess is his Scarlet. With him needing a wife and Tess needing the continued security of her position they make an agreement, where love will have no place.
These two spark to life with the heat between them. But when Justin starts to question her past and her motives, as she keeps secrets from him. Will these two be able to find the love and trust they both need? You will need to read to get all the details! Captivating!
I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
Rita
Great story with a strong woman and her friends. She gets a second chance at love with the new Duke. Lots of action and romance keeps you glued to the story.
4.5 Stars!
4.5 Stars! This was such a good book! This is the first book in a new series ‘Her Majesty’s Rebels’ and can be read as a standalone. The main characters are Tess & Justin and I loved both of them! The ‘sexy times’ were hot but not too long, the relationship issues were believable, the HEA ending was goosebump inducing and I found the whole book interesting and entertaining. I’d definitely recommend this book and I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
*I received this book at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*