Secrets of a Duke

Secrets of a Duke

by Martha Keyes

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Inspired by a true story

By station, they’re worlds apart, but living under the same roof brings their hearts dangerously close

William Yorke faces a tall order: convince people he is worthy of the Dukedom of Rockwood that has unexpectedly fallen to him. Returning from London to his enormous estate, he breaks his journey at an inn and finds himself witness to a drunkard selling his wife to the highest bidder.

William outbids the coarse competition and offers the woman a position as housemaid at his estate, uncomfortably aware that his impulsive chivalry will lead to talk—something he abhors.

Life has brought Clara Quinn very low indeed. Once an esteemed lady’s maid dismissed on false charges, her marriage of desperation lasts just long enough for her husband to sell her for gambling money.

Clara is thrust into the heart of the Duke of Rockwood’s household, but the duke himself keeps his distance to quell the rumors. She is determined to leave rather than complicate his life—until she stumbles upon one of the duke’s greatest secrets.

As their paths become irrevocably intertwined, distance becomes not only impossible but increasingly undesirable—and a romance? Unthinkable.

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Included in Subscription

Genre
Historical Romance
Subgenre
Regency (1811–1820), General Historical, Georgian (1714–1837)
Series
A Chronicle of Misadventures • Book 2
Audience
Adult
Bell Peppers
🫑
Profanity
2 Mild
Violence
2 Mild
Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco
2 Mild
Publication Date
October 16, 2024
Language Versions
English
Narration Type
Human
Fiction Form
Novel

Customer Reviews

Based on 12 reviews
67%
(8)
17%
(2)
17%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
c
christine philips
Good read strong tale

Took time to get into the story but once in it flowed in interesting at times funny ways. Enjoyed very much

A
Avid romance reader
Fabulous series!

I am loving this series and can't wait for Silas' love story next. Martha Keyes' characters are always beautifully written. So much so that you feel like you know them, and as a reader, you become completely invested in their stories. I loved William and Clara. They were so sweet together. They faced impossible odds falling in love, but the ending made me so happy.

R
RCS
Pleasant but lacked some excitement

A clean story. The story is based around the true story of the Duke of Chandos. We have a gentleman newly elevated to a Duke and uncomfortable in the role, trying to make his mark and be accepted, who buys a wife put up for sale by her husband. There are secrets on both sides but an attraction between them.I expected more excitement and confrontation when Clara meets her former employer, and potentially Lord Drayton, who was staying near by, but he never made an appearance. We also never really heard how the housekeeper (and Eliza) reacted to Clara marrying the Duke, and who was giving Clara all the extra work that was not part of her role? The housekeeper seemed strict but fair, I am not sure she would be sending her for ice without a footman to carry or telling her to clean chamber pots. Lady Cassandra’s acceptance they would not ‘work’ also seemed low key, a bit of a non event - wonder what her parents thought fully expecting a betrothal. So a pleasant story but it just lacked something. It could have been 4 stars but gave 3 as it kept me reading to see how things worked out, but feeling a little deflated waiting for a little more excitement.

F
Frangipan
a cracking read

I enjoyed the first in the series so much I immediately bought this and I was not disappointed. It has a few hideous Americanisms but the story and the writing make it possible to overlook them. Off to buy the next in the series!

A
Aimee Blackard
Loved this book!

I so thoroughly loved this book! It was sweet and romantic and for the first time in a long time, I was unsure how it would have a happy ending. I loved it though and the strength of the Yorke family bond is so awesome! I cannot wait to read the next one!

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