How to Catch a Duke (Rogues to Riches #6) by Grace Burrowes

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‘I have come to ask you to kill me, my lord.’

Miss Abigail Abbott desperately needs to disappear-permanently-and the only person she trusts to help her do that is Lord Stephen Wentworth, heir to the Duke of Walden. Stephen is brilliant, charming, and-when he needs to be-absolutely ruthless. So ruthless that he proposes marriage instead of “murder” to keep Abigail safe.

Stephen was smitten the instant his sister introduced him to Abigail, a woman with the dignity and determination of a duchess and the courage of a lioness. When she accepts his courtship of convenience, he also discovers she kisses like his most intimate wish come true. For Abigail, their arrangement is a sham to escape her dangerous enemies. For Stephen, it’s his one chance to share a lifetime with the lady of his dreams-if only he can convince her his love is real.

Rating: B-

How to Catch a Duke is the sixth and final book in Grace Burrowes’ Rogues to Riches series about the members of the Wentworth family.  The first book – My One and Only Duke – saw a ducal title conferred upon Quinton Wentworth, a wealthy banker from extremely humble origins who grew up doing whatever jobs he could find in order to provide for his younger siblings, and subsequent books have followed the various family members as they’ve each found their HEAs.  The hero of How to Catch a Duke is Stephen, Quinn’s younger brother and heir whom we first met as a brilliant, mercurial teen whose insight and often biting wit was shadowed by melancholy, and whose frustrations over his disability – his abusive father smashed Stephen’s knee when he was a child and he needs a cane (sometimes two) to walk – came through strongly.  Ten years later, Stephen is still brilliant and mercurial; he’s also charming, loyal, generous and quite ruthless when he wants to be and hasn’t let his physical limitations stop him from shagging his way across the continent or from ‘dallying’ extensively in England with a variety of willing partners.

When this book opens, Stephen receives a visit from Miss Abigail Abbott, the enquiry agent who recently did some work for his sister Constance (The Truth About Dukes).  In a dramatic opening, Abigail tells Stephen that she has “come to ask you to murder me, my lord.”  – which is, of course, not what she means at all; what she wants is to disappear while she attempts to find out why someone – a marquess no less – is out to do her harm.  Abigail is cagey, but Stephen – being Stephen – quickly works out who it is and promptly offers to kill him instead.

The next morning over breakfast, Abigail explains that Lord Stapleton believes her to be in possession of some letters he wants returned – which she is unable to do as she no longer has them.  She refuses to answer Stephen’s questions as to the identity of the writer and recipient of the letters, simply saying that the marquess is not entitled to them and is clearly prepared to go to any lengths to get them.  Stephen recognises that Abigail – whom he already admires for her spirit and no-nonsense attitude (and lusts after for her other attributes) – is genuinely scared, and suggests that instead of faking her death, they should pretend to be engaged and that she should go to stay under Quinn’s protection at Walden House while they work out how to retrieve the letters or get Stapleton to stop hounding her – and preferably both.
I’m generally a fan of Grace Burrowes’ novels, although I’ve long since given up trying to keep up with them all! I enjoy her quirky writing style and the strong familial connections she creates in her stories, and although I haven’t read all the books in this series, I’ve read enough of them to be able to know who most of the characters are and how they relate to one another – so this isn’t the place to start with the Wentworths! But with all that said, I had a number of issues with the book that mean I can’t grade it more highly. The plot is stretched thin and moves very slowly until well into the second half, and I didn’t feel a great deal of chemistry between Stephen and Abigail, who become lovers very quickly, before they really know each other. And while I applaud Ms. Burrowes for writing a couple who talk frankly about sex and their past relationships, I found it hard to believe a young unmarried woman – even one who had had a lover – would have felt comfortable discussing such things with a man she didn’t know all that well. Then there’s the fact that Stephen makes no bones about the fact that he’s had intimate relationships with a few men as well as women, and Abigail takes that in her stride, too (as, it seems, do other members of the family). On the one hand, it’s great to see such a supportive, non-judgmental reaction, but on the other, their easy, unconcerned acceptance seemed too modern.

The best thing about the book is undoubtedly Stephen, probably the most complex and damaged character of all the Wentworths. He’s living with a terrible secret as well as a disability that has caused many to see him as ‘less than’ and has spent most of his life compensating for it in one way and another; not just in his legendary prowess between the sheets, but in many other ways, too, channelling what had been, in youth, self-destructive impulses into creative ones. The other thing I really liked was the new and greater understanding that develops between him and Quinn. Although Stephen had no wish to feel it, he couldn’t help resenting Quinn for being able to do things he couldn’t and for being able to escape their father’s cruelties, and Quinn has seen Stephen as somewhat spoiled, and self-indulgent, and has even been jealous of his intelligence. There’s never been any question that they’d do anything for each other, but they’ve always been a bit wary of each other, too, and I was pleased to see those misunderstandings finally laid to rest.

There’s a large-ish secondary cast of Wentworth siblings and in-laws I enjoyed re-visting, the villain of the piece is suitably nasty (although no match for Stephen), and the author skilfully weaves a realistic look at the plight of the less fortunate into the background of the story – whether it’s the soldiers returning from war to find there was no work and no help for them, or children, forced to work from the age of six as climbing boys or in mines and factories.

I liked many things about How to Catch a Duke, but unfortunately, the romance isn’t at the top of the list. I’ve been intrigued by Stephen since he first appeared in the book one, so I had high hopes for his book and I really wanted to like it more than I did, but even so, it’s certainly worth a qualified recommendation.

A Duke by Any Other Name (Rogues to Riches #4) by Grace Burrowes

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Nathaniel, Duke of Rothhaven, lives in seclusion, leaving his property only to gallop his demon-black steed across the moors by moonlight. Exasperated mamas invoke his name to frighten small children, though Nathaniel is truly a decent man — maybe too decent for his own good. That’s precisely why he must turn away the beguiling woman demanding his help.

Lady Althea Wentworth has little patience for dukes, reclusive or otherwise, but she needs Rothhaven’s backing to gain entrance into Polite Society. She’s asked him nicely, she’s called on him politely, all to no avail — until her prize hogs just happen to plunder the ducal orchard. He longs for privacy. She’s vowed to never endure another ball as a wallflower. Yet as the two grow closer, it soon becomes clear they might both be pretending to be something they’re not.

Rating: B

This fourth book in Grace Burrowes’ Rogues to Riches series about the Wentworth family continues with A Duke by Any Other Name, a rather sweet story featuring possibly the grumpiest hero who ever grumped and the woman who engages his attention via a passel of wandering hogs.  In typical Burrowes fashion, this is a gently moving story featuring two perfectly nice leads with emotional crosses to bear that should probably keep them apart, but whose chemistry and fascination with each other conspire to make that impossible.  I haven’t read a book by Grace Burrowes for a while, and picking up this one served as a nice reminder of the things I enjoy about her work – her distinctive voice, her insight into what makes her characters tick and ability to write strong familial and romantic relationships – without too forceful a reminder of some of the things that can get a bit repetitive if one reads too many of her books in quick succession.

Lady Althea Wentworth, sister of the Duke of Walden, resides at Lynley Vale in Yorkshire, a home gifted to her by her brother when he unexpectedly acceded to the title (book one, My One and Only Duke).  A duke’s sister should be taking part in the season and finding a suitable husband, but given her family circumstances – the Wentworths were born into poverty and their father was an abusive drunk – Althea quickly became the prime target of the ton’s cruellest gossips who have ensured she has been all but ostracised from society.  Althea is no shrinking violet, but she has had enough of the constant bullying and has instead decided to make her home in Yorkshire, and find herself a husband there.  But even that is not going to be easy; the local society’s leading light is Lady Phoebe Philpot, who is every bit as catty as the London ladies, and just as determined to snub Althea and make sure everyone knows her humble origins put her below their notice.

Nathaniel Rothmore, Duke of Rothaven, has a reputation as dark as the large stallion he gallops around the Yorkshire Moors at night.  His neighbours have learned to give him a wide berth; he’s abrasive, unwelcoming and sarcastic, he doesn’t go into society, he certainly doesn’t invite others to his home and is all but a recluse, surrounded by ancient family retainers he should really have pensioned off by now and a house and grounds that could do with a bit of TLC.  It’s clear early on that his reputation as a black-hearted recluse is one he’s cultivated himself – what isn’t clear, seeing as he’s not a cold man, is why.

The novel opens with Nathaniel discovering that a number of his neighbour’s prize hogs have invaded his orchard.  Annoyed, he storms over to Lynley Vale to demand that Lady Althea arrange to have the animals removed immediately, only to find himself plied with tea, cake and the polite but – could it be gently scolding? – conversation of a woman he should absolutely not find intriguing… but definitely does.  Her request for help in learning how to deal with the local society on her own terms is surprising – surely, the sister of a duke should have no problem on that score?  – but he gives her a few tips on imperiousness anyway – and she agrees to have the pigs removed.

Nathaniel knows he’s asking for trouble by having anything more to do with Althea.  He can’t court her, he certainly can’t marry her – and yet he’s drawn to her, sensing that in her, he may have found the companionship and understanding he longs for. But it can’t be, because Nathaniel is living a lie.  This information is disclosed early in the book (so isn’t a spoiler, but if you don’t want to know, look away now!) – Nathaniel is not really the Duke of Rothaven.  His older brother, Robert – Robbie – is epileptic and was sent away to an asylum when he was little more than a boy. The old duke told Nathaniel Robbie was dead, and he only discovered the truth after his father’s death, by which time he had been invested with the title and taken his place in the House of Lords.  He was able to get Robbie away from the asylum and bring him home, but his brother was clearly not capable of assuming his responsibilities, so Nathaniel agreed to continue to fulfil the role of duke until Robbie was able to do so.  Five years later, Robbie is much improved, but does not want to take on the responsibilities which are rightfully his.  What is Nathaniel to do?  Telling the truth will see him convicted of fraud against the Crown and could leave Robbie vulnerable to being locked away again.  Nathaniel is stuck between a rock and a hard place and can see no way out.  To make things worse, he’s begun to receive letters which indicate someone knows the truth – and he very much fears he is about to be blackmailed.

With so much on his plate, it’s not surprising Nathaniel is so dour. Grace Burrowes is very good at writing these sorts of characters, ones who are thoroughly decent but somewhat bowed by circumstances, and it’s easy to feel for him.  His sadness, exhaustion and loneliness are palpable, and his conflicted emotions for Robbie – love, guilt, anger (for him and with him) and frustration – are equally well portrayed.  Althea is a lovely heroine, strong and independent, but still haunted by a horrible childhood (there is a brief mention of sexual exploitation, but it’s not detailed) and, in her way, as beaten down as Nathaniel and just as despairing of being able to find someone to share her life with.

A Duke by Any Other Name doesn’t sugar-coat the facts with regard to the way people like Robbie were treated at this period (the author provides an interesting, extensive author’s note on the subject) but doesn’t sensationalise it either.  The romance is a sweet, slow-burn and I enjoyed watching the friendship that develops between Althea and Nathaniel blossom into love – and felt their grief and sorrow at the knowledge they couldn’t be together as they both wanted.  On the downside however, the blackmail plotline never really goes anywhere (and is wrapped up rather oddly) and although I enjoyed watching the dreadful Phoebe get her comeuppance, the ending is rushed, the sudden influx of the families – Althea’s brothers (and sister-in-law), Nathaniel’s mother – in Yorkshire feeling a tad too convenient and, if I’m honest, there as a way to shoe-horn in some cameo appearances.

But those criticisms aside, A Duke by Any Other Name is a low-angst, enjoyable story laced with the author’s unique brand of warmth and humour.  Althea and Nathaniel are sensible, likeable individuals who make an exceptionally well-matched couple, and anyone looking for an undemanding, emotionally satisfying read could do worse than give this one a try.

When a Duchess Says I Do (Rogues to Riches #2) by Grace Burrowes (audiobook) – Narrated by James Langton

This title may be downloaded from Audible via Amazon

Duncan Wentworth tried his hand at rescuing a damsel in distress once long ago, and he’s vowed he’ll never make that mistake again. Nonetheless, when he comes across Matilda Wakefield in the poacher-infested and far-from-enchanted woods of his estate, decency compels him to offer aid to a lady fallen on hard times. Matilda is whip-smart, she can read Duncan’s horrible penmanship, and when she wears his reading glasses, all Duncan can think about is naughty Latin poetry.

Matilda cannot entrust her secrets to Duncan without embroiling him in the problems that sent her fleeing from London, but neither can she ignore a man who’s honourable, a brilliant chess player, and maddeningly kissable. She needs to stay one step ahead of the enemies pursuing her, though she longs to fall into Duncan’s arms. Duncan swears he has traded in his shining armour for a country gentleman’s muddy boots, but to win the fair maid, he’ll have to ride into battle one more time.

Rating: Narration: B+; Content: B-

This second book in Grace Burrowes’ Rogues to Riches series takes place about five years after the events of book one, My One and Only Duke, and focuses on Duncan Wentworth, cousin of Quinn, Duke of Walden. When a Duchess Says I Do is a quiet, tender romance between a mature, well-matched central couple underpinned by an intriguing mystery, in which the author once again exhibits her talent for writing close-knit loving families and gently understated romances.

Scholar and former curate Duncan Wentworth has spent the last few years as tutor and companion to his cousin Stephen, younger brother of the Duke of Walden. Duncan is quiet, kind, knowledgeable and well-travelled, but owing to past disappointment and something he regards as a dreadful youthful mistake, he tends to eschew personal connection. In an effort to bring him out of himself somewhat, his cousin Quinn has directed Duncan to undertake the management of one of the dukedom’s less well-run estates – Brightwell in Berkshire – and to make it profitable within a year. If Duncan can achieve that, Quinn will take over the management of the properly, freeing Duncan to return to his studies and his travels, but if not, then Duncan will continue to manage it indefinitely, whether he wants to or not. Not surprisingly, Duncan isn’t all that happy about the situation, but he’ll nonetheless do the best he can for his cousin.

You can read the rest of this review at AudioGals.

My One and Only Duke (Rogues to Riches #1) by Grace Burrowes (audiobook) – Narrated by James Langton

This title may be downloaded from Audible

A funny thing happened on the way to the gallows… One minute, London banker Quinn Wentworth is facing execution. The next, he’s declared the long-lost heir to a dukedom. Quinn has fought his way up from the vilest slums, and now he’s ready to use every dirty trick he knows to find the enemy who schemed against him.

There was just one tiny problem… Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, crosses paths with Quinn in jail. Believing his days are numbered, Quinn offers Jane marriage as a way to guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither thinks they’ll actually have a future together.

They were wrong. He’s a wealthy gutter rat out for vengeance. She’s a minister’s daughter who must turn a marriage of desperation into a proper ducal union. Are they doomed from the start or destined for a happily-ever-after?

Rating: Narration – B+ : Content – C

I generally find Grace Burrowes’ books work for me as comfort reads/listens – they’re not complicated or taxing, the characters are decent people trying to do the best for those they care for, and I enjoy the author’s slightly quirky writing style. In audio, James Langton’s narrations generally add something to the overall experience, and I’ve found myself more often listening to than reading her recent novels.

My One and Only Duke is the first in her new Rogues to Riches series, and it’s fairly typical Burrowes fare. We’ve got a gruff hero with a heart of gold, a no-nonsense heroine who is, by no fault of her own, in a bit of a pickle and a mystery to be solved – it’s not ground-breaking or original, but in my post-Christmas haze, it seemed like the sort of undemanding listen I wanted.

You can read the rest of this review at AudioGals.

My Own True Duchess (True Gentlemen #5) by Grace Burrowes

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Jonathan Tresham, heir to the Duke of Quimbey, needs a discreet ally to help him choose a wife from the mob of young ladies eager to become his duchess. When proper widow Theodosia Haviland rescues him from a compromising situation, he knows he’s found an advisor he can trust. Theo’s first marriage taught her the folly of indulging in romantic notions, and she’s determined that Jonathan Tresham’s intended be an ideal match for him, not some smitten ninnyhammer.

When Jonathan suggests Theo should be at the top of his list of possible duchesses, she protests, though she knows that Jonathan is kind and honorable despite his gruff exterior. The last person Theo can allow Jonathan to marry is a widow guarding scandalous secrets, even if she does also harbor an entirely inappropriate attraction to the one man she can never have.

Rating: B

Opening up a Grace Burrowes book these days is like going to visit old friends.  Even though each of her novels focuses on a different couple, the author has done such a thorough job of creating her own Regency world and peopling it with the many different families who move in the same elevated circles, that I know I’m going to meet up with at least one – and usually, several – familiar characters and enjoy their interactions with whichever of the principals they happen to be most closely involved with.  My Own True Duchess is book five in the True Gentlemen series, and in it, I was pleased to become reacquainted with the Duke of Anselm (The Duke’s Disaster) and several of the Dorning brothers (Will Dorning is the hero of Will’s True Wish) as well as the Earl and Countess of Haddonfield and the youngest Haddonfield, Lady Della.  While it probably helps to have at least a rough idea of who all these people are, it’s not essential;  they are all secondary characters and their stories don’t really affect the principal narrative, in which a close friend of Anselm’s is out to find himself a suitable bride.

Mr Jonathan Tresham, a mathematical genius and highly successful businessman, has lived in Europe for the last decade and made himself a tidy fortune.  Having recently become heir to the Duke of Quimbey, he has returned to England, knowing it is incumbent upon him to find himself a wife and set about securing the future of the dukedom.  The trouble is that there’s a strong chance he’s not going to be given the time or opportunity to consider his choice; most of the eligible young ladies in London and their mamas have already scented blood and are circling the waters, some of them going to extraordinary lengths to try to secure a proposal from him.  One of these enterprising young misses has managed to manoeuvre him into a deserted library, and Jonathan can feel the noose tightening – but the débutante’s hopes are dashed when a slightly older, poised and attractive woman enters the room and very politely and delicately runs her off.

Jonathan’s saviour is Mrs. Theodosia Haviland, a widow who lives in shabby-genteel almost-poverty with her sixteen-year-old sister and her seven-year-old daughter.  Her late husband – who had been heir to a viscountcy – died young (from the effects of dissipation) and hugely in debt, and the new viscount used the finds that should have reverted to Theo in order to pay them off, leaving her with nothing.  In addition, he refused to pay Haviland’s ‘debts of honour’ (gambling debts) which were massive and which have taken Theo years of scrimping and scraping to be able to settle.

Jonathan quickly realises that he and Mrs. Haviland can be of use to one another.  His business interests take up a lot of his time and attention, and having been away for so long, he doesn’t really know who is who in society, while Theo, on the other hand, knows everyone and commands respect, in spite of her reduced circumstances. So Jonathan proposes a business transaction; he will ‘employ’ her to find him a suitable wife.  Theo is not wild about the idea, but can’t deny that the money will come in very useful, so she agrees to narrow the field to a list of the ladies most likely to suit.  Jonathan is pleased with the arrangement, but there’s one thing Theo won’t budge on.  Having been unhappy in her own marriage, she is not prepared to consign Jonathan, a man she likes and admires, to a union with a simpering miss he won’t be able to like, no matter his insistence that he’s looking for a sensible society marriage based on practicality and not affection.

It will, of course, come as no surprise when I say that Jonathan soon finds himself comparing the ladies on Theo’s list to Theo herself, and finding them wanting.  She’s kind, charming and intelligent, she knows her way around in society, she’s respectable and, as an added bonus, he’s very attracted to her.  At first, Theo is reluctant to agree to his suggestion that they wed; a man who will one day be a duke shouldn’t marry an impoverished widow, but she can’t deny the pull of attraction she feels towards this this handsome, considerate man who so obviously cares for her and has earned her trust.

My Own True Duchess is typical Grace Burrowes fare in many ways.  Jonathan and Theo are caring, decent people who have overcome some degree of adversity –Theo in her bad marriage, Jonathan as the product of neglectful parents – who find each other and, through conversation, discover commonalities and mutual understanding and respect.  Where this book diverges from some of the author’s other recent releases is in the sub-plot; in many of her books, there’s a villain out to do physical harm (or worse) to one of the protagonists, but that isn’t the case here.  There’s someone out to ruin Jonathan’s principal business interest – a prestigious London club – but that’s due to simple greed rather than any long-standing familial rivalry or grudge, which works better than some of the would-be murder plots in other books.  Jonathan’s ownership of a lucrative gambling establishment does, of course, cause friction between him and his lady-love – and there were times I found Theo’s attitude to be overly judgmental – although fortunately, Ms. Burrowes redeems her in spectacular fashion, and manages to have Jonathan find a realistic solution to resolving the issues between them.

She also makes a number of very pertinent points about the situation of widows in the society of the day: The only female in all of English society who lived with a modicum of independence was the financially secure widow; while “A widow who is perceived to have fallen upon hard times soon finds herself besieged with offers, many of which are dishonourable.” At the same time, she shows some sympathy for the army of debutantes that regularly appears in historical romance as a giggling gaggle of ruthless ladies out to catch themselves the richest husband possible, pointing out that “They are taught that they are lucky – lucky to be relegated to the status of broodmares and ornaments.”  So often, the marriageable misses are presented as grasping nit-wits and widows are employed merely to allow a heroine a larger degree of sexual freedom, and I appreciated the inclusion of both these less frequently expressed points of view.

My Own True Duchess is an enjoyable, character-driven romance featuring a well-matched central couple who behave like adults and communicate well,  and which displays the author’s characteristic warmth and humour.  If you’re a fan of her work, then I’m sure this will appeal, even if you haven’t read all the previous books in this particular series.

No Other Duke Will Do (Windham Brides #3) by Grace Burrowes (audiobook) – Narrated by James Langton

This title may be downloaded from Audible via Amazon

Julian St. David, Duke of Haverford, is barely keeping his head above water in a sea of inherited debts. Though he has a long-term plan to restore the family finances, his sister has a much faster solution: host a house party for London’s single young ladies and find Julian a wealthy bride.

Elizabeth Windham has no interest in marriage, but a recent scandal has forced her hand. As much as she’d rather be reading Shakespeare than husband hunting, she has to admit she’s impressed by Julian’s protective instincts, his broad shoulders, and, of course, his vast library.

As the two spend more time together, their attraction is overwhelming, unexpected…and absolutely impossible. With meddling siblings, the threat of financial ruin, and gossips lurking behind every potted palm, will they find true love or true disaster?

Rating: Narration – C+: Content – B

For this third book in her Windham Brides series, Grace Burrowes moves to Wales and the home of Julian St. David, Duke of Haverford, whose estate is so encumbered by the debts accrued by his father and grandfather – their passion for collecting books creating a massive library at equally massive expense – means he is one step away from bankruptcy.

As No Other Duke Will Do opens, Julian’s sister, Glenys, has organised a large – and expensive – house-party to which she has invited a number of eligible young ladies in the hopes of finding her brother an heiress to marry. Julian is a loving man with a lot to offer, but she knows he is unlikely to marry while the state of their finances remains so dire – ergo, she will find him a wife who has money. Julian, who has not been involved in the planning or even consulted about the party, is naturally horrified at the cost, but as he is presented with a fait accompli sees no alternative but to allow things to proceed as planned… and perhaps there will be a gentleman among the invited bachelors who will catch his sister’s eye. Just because – according to his calculations – he can’t afford to marry for another eight years or more doesn’t mean Glenys should be mouldering away at Haverford Castle with him, after all.

You can read the rest of this review at AudioGals.

Too Scot to Handle (Windham Brides #2) by Grace Burrowes (audiobook) – Narrated by James Langton

This title may be downloaded from Audible via Amazon

As a captain in the army, Colin MacHugh led men, fixed what was broken, and fought hard. Now that he’s a titled gentleman, he’s still fighting – this time to keep his bachelorhood safe from all the marriage-minded debutantes. Then he meets the intriguing Miss Anwen Windham, whose demure nature masks a bonfire waiting to roar to life. When she asks for his help to raise money for the local orphanage, he’s happy to oblige.

Anwen is amazed at how quickly Lord Colin takes in hand a pack of rambunctious orphan boys. Amazed at how he actually listens to her ideas. Amazed at the thrill she gets from the rumble of his Scottish burr and the heat of his touch. But not everyone enjoys the success of an upstart. And Colin has enemies who will stop at nothing to ruin him and anybody he holds dear.

Rating: Narration – B+ Content – B

Grace Burrowes has returned to her popular Windham family for her latest series, the Windham Brides, which follows the romantic fortunes of four sisters, the nieces of the Duke and Duchess of Moreland. The ladies are in London for the Season and are residing with their uncle and aunt while their parents – the duke’s brother and sister-in-law – have taken an extended holiday-cum-second honeymoon in Wales. As is the case with all Ms. Burrowes’ books, regular readers and listeners will welcome cameo appearances from other characters from both this series and some of her other books, but newcomers need not be too worried, as these are usually secondary characters whose presence is easily explained and knowledge of their stories is not usually essential to the understanding of what is happening in this one.

In the previous book, The Trouble with Dukes, Megan Windham, the third youngest sister, met her match in the big, braw, brooding Hamish MacHugh, a former army officer and the newly minted Duke of Murdoch. In Too Scot to Handle, the author turns her attention to his younger brother, Lord Colin, also formerly of His Majesty’s army and who has remained in London so that his sisters can continue to enjoy the Season while Hamish and his new bride have decamped to Scotland. Like Hamish, Colin, though resourceful and more charming than his brother, is somewhat uncomfortable in the world of the ton and finds the process of learning its ins and outs and dos and don’ts rather trying. Even though he is the brother of a duke, a Scottish dukedom doesn’t rank quite as highly with the snobby sticklers of London society, so Colin is having to tread carefully to make sure of his acceptance. He is being helped in this endeavour by the advice of Winthrop Montague, a man who is invited everywhere, knows everyone and, in spite of not being wealthy, is regarded by all as an arbiter of excellent taste.

Anwen Windham is tired of being molly-coddled by her over-protective sisters. She’s the youngest of the four and, having suffered a serious childhood illness, is still thought of as being weak and somewhat delicate, while in reality she’s strong, tenacious and determined. The focus of these things is currently the Home for Wayward Urchins, an orphanage for young boys from the streets; she is absolutely dedicated to improving the lot of the boys currently in residence, but the home is rapidly running out of funds, and due to the indolence of most of the committee members – and its chairman, Winthrop Montague – Anwen is having to sit by and watch things go from bad to worse. As a woman, she cannot be on the board of directors of the home, merely on the ladies’ committee, and they have no influence over the business side of the venture. Frustrated yet again by the committee’s failure to act, she storms out of a meeting with the headmaster only to run smack into Colin MacHugh, who has arrived to escort Montague’s sister home. Lady Rosalind, however, didn’t bother to turn up to the ladies’ meeting just as her brother didn’t bother to turn up at the committee meeting and Anwen is furious. Colin, whose familial connection means he now sees quite a lot of the Windham ladies, is rather taken with this hitherto unseen side of Anwen, and he escorts her home instead, along the way discovering much about the source of her anger, and then offering his help in whatever way she feels will be most useful.

Colin and Anwen bond over a shared vision for the orphanage, and with Colin’s army background and his own particular talent for organisation and getting what he wants out of people, he’s the perfect mentor for the four older boys we meet regularly during the course of the story; they’ve grown up on the streets as thieves and pickpockets and have never had a decent male role model until Colin takes them in hand. He’s the sort of man they don’t wish to let down; not because they fear punishment, but because he makes them want to do and be better.

Bonding over a shared vision leads to other sorts of bonding as Colin and Anwen develop a strong friendship at a sensible pace that slowly turns into something more. The romantic chemistry between them bubbles along nicely and I liked that they are honest with each other about how they feel and what they want from life. Colin may have been trying to avoid the matchmaking mamas, but when the right woman comes along, he’s not at all shy about making his feelings known to her.

Naturally, however, not everything in the garden of romance is rosy, and the snake in the grass in this instance is Montague, who, while purporting to be Colin’s friend, has in fact made him the subject of a rather nasty “prank”, whereby he and many of his cronies have run up bills at various places –tailors, bootmakers, watering holes – in Colin’s name and left him with rather an enormous tab. Not surprisingly, Colin is furious and begins to realise that Montague might not have been such a good friend after all – a fact borne out by later events when Montague levels some unfounded and unpleasant accusations at Colin which could have very serious consequences indeed.

When I listened to the previous book a couple of months ago, I pointed out to my fellow AudioGals that James Langton was doing sterling work, switching between accents from all the corners of the British Isles! The same is true here, as we have Colin (a Scot), Anwen and her sisters (from Wales) and Rosecroft (an Irishman) as well as the other characters, like the Duke and Duchess, Montague and his sister and various others who speak with upper-class English accents. Mr. Langton’s interpretation of Colin is perfect; that slight Scottish burr is sex-on-a-stick and while Anwen’s accent isn’t exactly Welsh, it has enough of a lilt to convincingly be “not-English”. As is ever the case, his character differentiation is very good and his vocal characterisations expertly convey subtleties of personality and expression. For instance Montague’s slightly nasal tone immediately conveys that this chap might not be the convivial fellow he paints himself as, while Rosecroft is jaunty and no-nonsense, but still the sort of fellow one wouldn’t want to cross. The four older boys at the orphanage are very well portrayed, too, a range of timbre and accent used to define them and make them sound age-appropriate.

Too Scot to Handle (and honestly – who comes up with these dumb titles?) is pretty much standard Grace Burrowes fare: a gently moving, sweetly sensual romance without too much conflict in which the protagonists’ wider family circle play an important part. Colin and Anwen are perfect for each other, their conversations are honest, flirtatious and sometimes revealing, and the listener is left in no doubt as to the strength of their feelings for each other. James Langton delivers another accomplished, nuanced performance that adds much to the story and I’m happy to recommend this audiobook to fans and newbies alike.

Daniel’s True Desire (True Gentlemen #2) by Grace Burrowes (audiobook) – Narrated by James Langton

This title may be downloaded from Audible via Amazon

An honorable life

Daniel Banks is a man of the cloth whose vocation is the last comfort he has left – and even his churchman’s collar is beginning to feel like a noose. At the urging of family, Daniel attempts to start his life over as vicar in the sleepy Kentish town of Haddondale, family seat to the earls of Bellefonte.

Challenged by passion

Resigned to spinsterhood, Lady Kirsten Haddonfield welcomes the new vicar to stay at her family’s home while his is under renovation. Suddenly, the handsome visitor has Kirsten rethinking her ideas about love and marriage, but a dreadful secret from Daniel’s past may cast a shadow too long for either of them to overcome.

Rating: Narration – B+ Content – B+

Daniel’s True Desire is the second book in Grace Burrowes’ True Gentlemen series, although the series title is perhaps a bit of a misnomer as the books are in fact linked by virtue of the fact that the heroines are the sisters of Nicholas Haddonfield, Earl of Bellefonte. Regardless of that, however, I found it to be the strongest of the series when I read it a couple of years back, and I was keen to experience it again in audio format. As is the case with most of Grace Burrowes’ oeuvre, this story features several characters who have appeared in other books, most notably David, Lord Fairly and his wife Letty (Daniel’s sister), Nicholas and his wife Leah, and Daniel himself, who appeared in David’s book, wherein we discovered he was unhappily married to a woman (Olivia) who stole from him and his parish, and who was blackmailing his sister by threatening to expose the fact that the five-year old boy she and Daniel have brought up as their son is, in fact, Letty’s son, the result of a youthful indiscretion.

As this story opens, the Reverend Daniel Banks is travelling to his new living in the village of Haddondale. He is a very troubled man, still reeling from the recent revelations about the deceptions practiced by his wife – who has now disappeared – struggling with his feelings of discontent and guilt over his inability to protect his sister from Olivia’s machinations, and worst of all, heartsick at his parting from his ‘son’, Danny, who, now that her circumstances allow her to properly care for him, has now gone to live with his mother and her new husband. Daniel is at a very low point, dedicated to his calling but feeling somewhat restricted by it, and unable to see a way out of his present difficulties. Olivia may have taken herself off temporarily, but it can surely only be a matter of time before she is back and making more trouble.

Brooding on his problems and delayed by inclement weather, Daniel loses his way and finds himself at the door of one of the village residents rather than the vicarage.  Stopping to ask for assistance, he is confronted by a tall, blonde dynamo of a woman who introduces herself as the earl’s sister, Lady Kirsten Haddonfield.  After plying him with tea and bread and butter, she accompanies him to the vicarage and then, after discovering its state of disrepair, marches him off to dinner with her brother and sister-in-law.

Kirsten Haddonfield is brusque, brutally honest and capable of organising herself and everyone around her with almost military precision. She is also, as Daniel comes to realise, a bit of a grouch, a description with which she doesn’t argue.  At present, her burdens are many; she has taken over the numerous estate duties performed by her sister, Nita, prior to her marriage, and is helping her youngest sister, Della, prepare for her first Season.  The preparations are dredging up unhappy memories and reminding Kirsten of her two broken engagements and the insincere, posturing gentlemen she had believed were genuinely interested in her – and weren’t.  Knowing how cruel society can be, Kirsten is also very worried for Della who, unlike the other Haddonfield siblings is small and dark haired – and is widely believed to be a cuckoo in the nest.   And on top of her responsibilities and other worries, Kirsten knows she is expected to travel to London with the rest of the family for the Season in the spring, and dreads it.  She hates the superficiality of London society and inwardly despairs at the prospect of ending up a subject of pity and gossip because she is still unmarried. She would much rather stay at home in the country where she can be active and useful than sit around in drawing rooms or waste her time dancing at balls.

Daniel and Kirsten are drawn to each other from the start, sensing that here is a kindred spirit, someone to whom life has not always been kind and who has learned to cope with disappointment.  Daniel finds Kirsten’s bluntness refreshing and quickly learns to see through the surface bluster to the truly kind and compassionate woman underneath, while Kirsten is impressed by the handsome young vicar’s aura of quiet confidence and his strong good sense.  Daniel finally discovers what it is to have a true helpmeet, someone to talk to about his day and with whom he can hold an intelligent discussion and exchange of ideas, and Kirsten blossoms as a result of Daniel’s genuine respect and admiration.  Their mutual attraction grows steadily, but of course, there can be no happy ending for them; even if Daniel had the money and influence to obtain a divorce, he could not do so and retain his profession, which is his only means of income and thus supporting a wife.

It’s not a spoiler, given this is a romance, to say that the author does come up with a – quite unusual – way of solving Kirsten and Daniel’s difficulties, but there’s a lot more to enjoy in this story than just the bittersweet romance.  Grace Burrowes’ talent for writing strong male friendships is very much in evidence once again, as Kirsten’s brother, Nicholas, and Daniel’s brother-in-law, David, bring him into the fold and rally round to support him when he really needs them.  Such scenes are always a highlight of any of Ms. Burrowes’ books as she always invests these relationships with a strong sense of liking and mutual respect that is masked by lots of teasing and good-natured banter which make them are a delight to read.  Also delightful is the relationship that Daniel forges with his small group of “rotten boys”, the unruly sons of some of the local gentry who come to “live in” with the vicar while they are receiving an education.  They all come across as living, breathing children rather than precious moppets, and the way she shows the developing bonds between the boys and between the boys and Daniel is simply masterful.

James Langton does a very good job with his portrayals of all the boys, making them sound age-appropriate and giving each of them a distinct sound and personality.  Daniel is every bit as dreamy as he is on the page; dedicated, quietly competent – there’s nothing as sexy as a man who knows what he’s doing! – and possessed of great strength of character and a playful sense of humour.  Nicholas and David are very clearly delineated – Nicholas by means of a drop in pitch and a very hearty tone that suits a man of such large stature, while David’s dialogue is delivered using a jauntier manner and a very slight, aristocratic drawl.  Mr. Langton’s female voices are solid, and the three Haddonfield ladies are easy to tell apart.  He expertly depicts Kirsten’s occasional waspishness and also injects the right emotional notes into her speech without pushing the pitch too high.  The technical aspects of his performance – such as diction and pacing – are excellent, and, as I’ve said before, his affinity for Ms. Burrowes’ sometimes quirky language is a real asset.  It’s a small point, but I love the way he handles the characters’ asides and ‘notes-to-self’, really bringing out the irony and wry humour in them.

I enjoyed Daniel’s True Desire as much in audio as I did in print (possibly more, thanks to the excellent narration) although there is one plot point I’d take issue with, which, while not an uncommon one in historical romance, sees the seemingly unfixable becoming suddenly and magically fixed.  But it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book overall, and I’d certainly recommend this poignant, emotionally satisfying and expertly narrated love story to others.

Matthew (Jaded Gentlemen #2) by Grace Burrowes (audiobook) – Narrated by James Langton

Theresa Jennings strayed from the path of propriety as a younger woman, though now she’ll do anything to secure her child’s eventual acceptance on the fringes of polite society. Theresa will even make peace with the titled brother who turned his back on her when she needed him most. Matthew Belmont is a widower who’s been lonely too long. He sees Theresa as a woman paying far too high a price for mistakes long past, and as a lady given too little credit for turning her life around. Theresa is enthralled by Matthew’s combination of honorable intentions and honest passion, but then trouble comes calling, and it’s clear somebody wants to ruin any chance Theresa and Matthew have for a happily ever.

Rating: Narration – B+ Content – B

I am a fan of Grace Burrowes’ historical romances and always enjoy a visit to “Burrowesworld” the corner of the South of England that she has peopled with her various, numerous and inter-related characters and series. I admit though, that she’s published so many books now, that I sometimes have to stop and take stock of which book and which series I’m listening to or reading and work out where it falls in the canon, as publication order is not always the same as chronological… so for instance in Matthew, one of her more recent publications, and the second book in her Jaded Gentlemen series, we meet Nicholas and Beckman Haddonfield before they appear in the Lonely Lords books and before Nick inherits his earldom; Alice Portmaine is still a governess/companion, and some of the other Lonely Lords – Gareth, Andrew, Douglas and David – are all happily settled with their wives and families. This wealth of previously introduced characters may be a bit daunting for someone new to the author’s work, but actually, it’s perfectly possible to listen to Matthew as a standalone, as characters like Nick, Beckmann and Alice are secondary and their roles here don’t really have anything to do with the parts they play in the books in which they are principal characters.

Matthew Belmont is a widower of thirty-five years of age with three sons on the verge of manhood. His wife has been dead for some years and his marriage was not a happy one – the late Mrs. Belmont was in love with someone else and regularly unfaithful – although he loves his boys very dearly. He’s the local squire and magistrate, and his reputation in the locality is exceptional. He’s admired and respected by the men as well as the women (many of whom would love to become the second Mrs. Belmont) and while not completely celibate (he has had the occasional, discreet affair at the odd house party) he has no pressing desire to remarry.

Until, that is, he meets Miss Theresa Jennings, the older sister of Thomas, Baron Sutcliffe (hero of the previous book in this series), a lovely woman of close to his own age who makes no bones about the fact that she has a young daughter, despite never having been married. Theresa has lived most of the last decade or so at the family seat, which she has managed very successfully for her brother, and has moved temporarily to Linden in Kent while he and his new wife are staying at Sutcliffe Keep as part of their wedding trip. At Linden, she encounters her neighbour – the attractive squire – who treats her with the sort of kindness and respect she has not encountered all that often before, owing to her status as an unmarried mother and her past as something of a wild child.

There’s an immediate attraction between the pair, although Matthew senses that Theresa is trying to keep him at arm’s length by making it clear that she believes herself to be completely unworthy of the notice of such an upstanding and widely respected figure as he. Matthew thinks that’s all nonsense, and as they come to know each other better, what emerges is the picture of a young woman of seventeen who was led astray by loneliness, negligence and a couple of rakehell cousins. Matthew doesn’t blame Theresa for her past, insisting that it’s IN the past and reminding her that she has led a blameless life for the past decade, but she has a hard time accepting this, her views coloured by both the disapprobation of society and most especially that of her brother, who has practically disowned her and has not communicated with her throughout the last decade, regardless of the fact that she has lived in virtual penury while acting as a very competent steward at Sutcliffe.

Matthew is fairly standard Grace Burrowes fare, but I don’t mean that as a criticism, because this sort of gently moving romance between two lonely, emotionally bruised people is something she writes extremely well. Matthew is everything one could want in a romantic hero, handsome, kind, perceptive and protective; Theresa’s daughter, Priscilla likens him at one point to a knight on a white charger, and it’s an apt analogy, because he really is Theresa’s champion. One of the highlights of the book is his taking Thomas to task about his treatment of his sister, and forcing him to see the truth of the situation; that she had been subject to bad company and influence but was focused on protecting her younger brother to the extent that she pushed him away deliberately. I admit that I thought Thomas was a complete dickhead the first time he appeared in this story, and wondered how on earth he could possibly have been romance hero material in his own book – which I haven’t yet listened to or read. Fortunately, however, when confronted with Matthew’s common sense approach and, I suspect, his new wife’s calming influence, Thomas comes to see the error of his ways, and I very much enjoyed listening to their eventual reconciliation.

While all this is going on, it also seems that someone is out to harm Matthew following a series of events which – at first – appear unconnected, but which later begin to assume a more sinister significance. The mystery is very much secondary and well-integrated and the identity of the villain isn’t immediately obvious, but I confess I’m getting a teeny bit tired of the tacked-on mystery in romances. Not just in Ms. Burrowes’ stories; many authors feel the need to inject a bit of drama by means of a mystery and it’s getting old.

What isn’t getting old, however, is the (by now) long-standing association of Grace Burrowes’ stories with James Langton’s narrations. His well-modulated, slightly husky baritone is always a pleasure to listen to, and it’s obvious that he understands the specific requirements of narrating in this particular genre, something not all narrators do. As is the case with most of Ms. Burrowes’ titles, there is a fairly large secondary cast, but Mr. Langton handles that with aplomb, expertly employing a variety of accent, timbre and tone to differentiate between the numerous male characters, who include Matthew’s somewhat smarmy brother-in-law, his older brother, the crotchety Axel (his book is next up), and his three sons, who are aged (I believe) between about fourteen and seventeen or eighteen. That last is especially impressive, as he has to pitch them as young men without making them sound like children, and he does it very well. Matthew himself sounds exactly as he should – confident, capable and completely sigh-worthy; the perfect romantic hero.

While Mr. Langton’s female voices aren’t the best I’ve heard, they’re more than half-way decent, and his portrayals of Theresa, Loris (Thomas’ wife) and Alice, Priscilla’s governess, are good, although he does sometimes push the pitch just a little too high at emotional high points. It doesn’t happen often, though, so it’s not something that spoiled my overall enjoyment. The one place he does fall down though, is in his interpretation of Matthew’s sister-in-law. I think he may have been going for something a bit “dowager-esque”, but he misses the mark, and she just sounds… odd.

Overall, however, it’s a very strong performance, and fans of both author and narrator will, I’m sure, enjoy this tender romance between two more mature characters who have both been buffeted about by life.

Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal (Windham #5) by Grace Burrowes (audiobook) – Narrated by James Langton

This title may be downloaded from Audible via Amazon.

Lady Maggie Windham has secrets, and she’s been perfectly capable of keeping them…until now. When she’s threatened with exposure, she turns to investigator Benjamin Hazlit to keep catastrophe at bay. But Maggie herself intrigues Benjamin more than the riddle she’s set him to solve. As he uncovers more and more of her past, Maggie struggles to keep him at a distance, until they both begin to discover the truth in their hearts.

Rating: Narration – B; Content – B

Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal is the fifth full-length novel in Grace Burrowes’ series about the eight Windham siblings; the three sons and five daughters of the Duke and Duchess of Moreland. Like Devlin St. Just (The Soldier), Magdalen – Maggie – Windham is illegitimate, fathered by the duke before his marriage, but welcomed into the family as a child, brought up alongside the ducal couple’s legitimate children and later legally adopted.

Now aged thirty, Maggie maintains her own small establishment and is a wealthy woman in her own right, having discovered a talent for investing and speculation when she was in her teens. She regularly advises her brother, the Earl of Westhaven (The Heir) on financial matters, but in general keeps very much to herself, not one for socialising or regular outings. She is unmarried and likely to remain so given her reclusive tendencies, and it’s no secret that the Duchess worries about Maggie and her happiness as much as she does her own daughters.

When Maggie’s favourite reticule suddenly goes missing, her worry is so disproportionate to the value of the lost item that it’s immediately apparent that she has lost much more than a simple purse. When days go by and she has looked everywhere it could possibly be without finding it, there’s only one thing for it and reluctantly, she turns to Benjamin Hazlit for help. Hazlit is an investigator, very good at solving problems and digging up society dirt when required – and is frequently employed by the Windham family, which is how Maggie is acquainted with him. She doesn’t like what he does for a living, but she knows that his discretion is assured and asks him to locate her missing reticule. Being a very shrewd man, Hazlit is well aware that there is something – or a lot of somethings – that Miss Windham (she dislikes her courtesy title of ‘Lady’) isn’t telling him; and at first declines her commission, even though he senses that whatever her secrets are, they’re seriously preying on her mind. But Maggie won’t take no for an answer; the longer her reticule is missing, the greater the likelihood its contents have fallen into the hands of someone up to no good – and she finds a way to persuade Mr. Hazlit to change his mind.

The mystery of the missing reticule naturally throws Maggie and Benjamin together quite a lot, and in order to prevent any damage to her reputation, he suggests that they enter upon a fake engagement which they can quietly call off at a later date. Maggie isn’t thrilled at the idea, yet sees the sense in it… but when the attraction that has been sparking between them from the beginning begins to deepen into something much stronger, Maggie knows she’s in trouble and wants to call it off. She’s always insisted she does not want to marry and, at thirty, believes her spinsterhood is assured, but Benjamin is making her feel and want things she’d never thought to feel or want; he’s attentive, constant, and seductive… and his obvious desire for her is increasingly hard to resist.

It’s difficult to say much more about the plot without spoiiers, but even though I enjoyed the listen overall, there are a number of inconsistencies throughout that threatened to take me out of the story. I am a fan of the author, but while she is an incredibly good writer of relationships – whether romantic, friendship or familial – and offers her readers a terrific insight into the inner lives of her characters and their motivations, many of her love stories hit a snag when it comes to the conflict that is needed to create some kind of tension or provide obstacles for the central couple to overcome. Here, it’s obvious – given the book’s title – that Maggie is keeping a big secret, and that she doesn’t want to let anyone in on it. When the truth is revealed, her reasons are fairly sound; although they might seem a bit flimsy to a modern audience, they make sense for the time in which the book is set, when reputations were currency among the upper classes – and also speak to the depth of the love Maggie has for her family. But the problem I had was with the fact that Maggie needed help to find out what had happened to her reticule, but refused to tell Ben exactly WHY it was so important to her. At the beginning of the book, she makes it clear she dislikes his profession and because she believes he’s a snoop and violates people’s privacy – yet she makes it impossible for him to do anything OTHER than snoop by refusing to give him all the information he needs in order to find her missing property and thereby prevent an innocent person from suffering harm.

On the plus side – and it’s a big plus – the romance between Maggie and Ben is very nicely developed, sensual and laced with humour and affection. They have more in common than they think, and the moments in which they each realise how lonely they are and recognise the same thing about the other person are insightful and well done. Ben is a lovely hero – assertive, honourable and somewhat brusque, he’s good at what he does and is devoted to Maggie, very quickly seeing through her prickly exterior to the vulnerable woman underneath. I liked Maggie, too, although I found her secretiveness extremely illogical (and as irritating as Ben did!) and while we’re told she’s a financial genius, there isn’t any real evidence of it on display in this particular story.

I’ve listened to James Langton a number of times over the years and while some aspects of his narrations are problematic, I enjoy them for the most part, because he has a lovely voice and delivers an enjoyable all-round performance. He is perfectly suited to narrating Grace Burrowes’ novels because he seems to instinctually understand her flair for unusual and distinctive language; when I try to imagine another narrator reading her words, I just can’t do it, and whenever I read a book by Ms. Burrowes, it’s Mr. Langton’s voice I hear in my head. But there’s no denying that his heroine voices are not always successful, and in the last couple of narrations of his I’ve listened to, I’ve noticed that they’re somewhat inconsistent from one end of the book to the other. When I began listening to Lady Maggie, he performed her dialogue at a suitably middling pitch – not too deep, not falsetto – but as the story progresses, that pitch gradually increases, so that by the end of the book, she’s speaking several semitones higher than she was at the beginning, leaving little room for emotional inflection before getting dangerously close to soprano territory! Fortunately, it doesn’t go there, but I really wish Maggie’s dialogue had remained at the opening pitch throughout.

All the other characterisations are very good though; I like his portrayal of Percy (the duke) as a wily old fox and he differentiates well between all the other male secondary characters in the story. He gives Ben a very slight northern accent, which, while possibly not completely realistic (aristocratic gentlemen would probably have lost any regional accent at school), works nicely, and, together with his expressive delivery and warm tones, makes Ben an attractive hero.

Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal is thus a bit of a mixed bag in terms of both content and narration, but I enjoyed it sufficiently to be able to recommend it in spite of the reservations I’ve expressed.