Calder Marbrook, the Marquis of Brookhaven and also
nicknamed 'The Beast' by the Ton was left at the altar by
his fiancé for his half-brother. Calder, actually was an
integral part of getting those two together because he
realized how much they were in love with each other. But
this hasn't stopped the gossip about him running rampant all
over England and adds fuel to the fire, especially since
most believe he killed his first wife as she left him for
her lover. Now Calder must find a new bride, mainly for his
unruly daughter, Meggie.
Deidre Cantor decides to sacrifice herself to The Beast,
even though she doesn't think of him that way. She has
adored Calder ever since she saw him at a ball and will
recommend herself to become his wife since her cousin did
leave him for another man. Plus, when Calder becomes a Duke
she will be able to inherit the thirty thousand pounds
promised to her by her grandfather. He left a stipulation in
his will that they only way any of his granddaughters will
be able to receive this hefty inheritance is to marry a duke.
Calder is quite shocked when Deidre comes to him with her
proposal. But he has no where else to turn and Deidre is
quite lovely to look at. They have a quick marriage ceremony
where Deidre believes her life will be much better,
especially after being under the thumb of her cold
step-mother. But both these newly-weds are for in quite a
surprise as Calder refuses to share her bed, expects her to
obey his every rule and make his daughter into a young lady
and not a hoyden. Deidre will use her own wiles to get what
she wants and that is to have Calder fall in love with her.
Celeste Bradley has done it again! THE DUKE NEXT DOOR is her
second book in the Heiress Brides series and this historical
romance is adorable and a bit zany, but such a wonderful
read. Deidre is a heroine with a lot of sass and gumption
and Calder is a goner because his every thought is about
seducing Deidre. Don't be surprised if you find yourself
laughing out loud at the antics of Deidre and Calder's
daughter, Meggie. There are also an excellent set of
secondary characters who add spice to the tale such as
Calder's butler Fortescue who is in love with the lively
Irish maid, Patricia and Deidre's comical step-cousin Graham
and his growing admiration for Deidre's dowdy and
intelligent cousin Sophie.
Mischief, laughs and romance make for a great read and THE
DUKE NEXT DOOR has it all. I know for certain I will pick up
the next book by Celeste Bradley and I urge you to do the same!
The
dangerously beautiful Deirdre Cantor is determined to
inherit her
grandfather’s vast fortune. All she needs is to marry a
duke... and be the
first granddaughter to walk down the aisle. After all, she
has always
dreamed of becoming a member of the haute ton. So
when the
proper Calder Marbrook, the Marquis of Brookhaven and future
Duke of
Brookmoor, is abandoned at the altar, Deirdre makes it her
business to
become his wife—in spite of the whispers about his
past.
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH…
Soon
Deirdre’s visions of a lavish existence with the handsome
Calder are
shattered when she learns his shocking secret. Feeling betrayed,
Deirdre seeks revenge by playing a perilous and seductive
game of cat
and mouse with her husband that threatens to drive them both
to the
heights of passion. She will not surrender to him, no matter
how great
her desire. But at what cost? Calder is determined to
keep his
secret under lock and key—and to make his stunning wife his
in every
way that matters. Even if it means winning her heart all over
again...
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