THE LAST DUCHESS is the first in Stephanie Feagan's new
Lennox Series. This is the story of Lady Jane Lennox
and Michael, Duke of Blixford. Lady Jane is far from your
average Lady, her mother died in child birth, and she was
raised by her father and six brothers. She rides horses too
fast, is a great shot with a pistol, smart and well read
and not very good at all the lady-like activities the
other ladies seem to be so good at. She can't paint, sing
or play the pianoforte. But Lady Jane is determined to win
the heart of the Duke of Blixford who she has loved since
seeing him at the funeral of his first wife and close
friend of hers.
The Duke of Blixford is determined to continue his family
name and he must find a wife to do so. His first wife died
in child birth and two years later his sister is holding a
party with all the young eligible women so he can do so. The
Duke of Blixford does not want to marry for love or become
too attached to his wife. He cannot risk going mad from the
loss of her as his father did when his mother died. He just
needs an heir. When the Duke meets Lady Jane he knows right
away he cannot marry her, he knows the risk of loving her is
too great. Yet the Duke is overcome by his fascination for
her and touches her as no man should touch a lady that is
not his wife. The Duke is left with no choice but to offer
her his hand in marriage. Lady Jane wants love and a real
marriage, so she leaves him and runs off before a marriage
can happen.
Four years later she returns and seeks out the Duke who has
had two more wives die in childbirth and still has no heir.
THE LAST DUCHESS begins there and is a wonderful tale of the
ins-and-outs of high society in historical England.
Stephanie Feagan does not limit this story to the love
story between Lady Jane and the Duke of Blixford. It has so
much more, including mystery, intrigue, love and revenge,
ending with an unexpected, wonderful twist. The Lennox
Series is a great new series, and I can't wait for more
from Stephanie Feagan and the Lennox family.
Michael, Duke of Blixford, was all Lady Jane Lennox ever
wanted in a husband. Growing up with her gregarious widower
papa and six raucous older brothers, Jane was drawn to the
handsome, taciturn duke and purposefully set her cap for
him. Unfortunately, despite his attraction to her, the duke
was less than impressed with her unladylike skills, and
after he ruined her, then proposed at the same time he
called her his very last choice as his duchess, she fled to
Scotland. To keep the ducal title and holdings from
reverting to the crown, Michael needs a wife to give him an
heir – but he doesn’t need to love her. Called the Duke of
Death, a pariah said to have demon seed, Michael has lost
three wives in childbed. His worst nightmare is following
his father into grief driven madness after the woman he
loved died. His iron discipline failed him four years ago
when he succumbed to his fascination with Jane, and his fury
was great when she jilted him. Now, she’s returned to London
and, just as he is her only choice, she is his last chance.
She’s determined to have a real marriage; he’s determined to
hold her at arm’s length. But when the past catches up and
old ghosts demand their due, Jane is devastated, and Michael
risks everything to save his last duchess from permanent
ruin. All he has to do is not fall in love.