The Duke of Thornsby is in a bind. He inherited his title, but won't inherit the money with it unless he marries by his next birthday. Unfortunately, a slight scandal has kept him from courting any young women, but when he is invited to a house party he discovers more than just a bride in Matilda Sheldon.
CHARMING THE DUKE is a pleasant romance filled with entertaining characters. Matilda is stubborn, intelligent, independent woman who doesn't think marriage is for her. She is kind hearted, but doesn't see her own beauty making her a heroine readers will love. Thornsby is kind, charming, and his comical mistakes will have readers hoping he wins Matilda's heart. Thronsby's imperfections and his ability to admit his mistakes make him an impressive romance hero.
Holly Bush has written wonderful secondary characters who really tie the story together. Some are witty and other dim-witted, but all add a unique presence to the story. CHARMING THE DUKE would not be the same story without Athena, Andrew, Fran, Francis, Juliet, and Alexandra. My favorite secondary character is Ethel Sheldon, the opinionated grandmother who is as tough as nails.
The villain is subtle, yet devious and the ending won't leave readers disappointed. The characters in CHARMING THE DUKE will leave readers with smiles long after they've finished reading.
1849 . . . Matilda Sheldon, the middle daughter of the
sixth
Earl of Bisset, has never been interested in the
fashionable
society events that so preoccupy her parents and siblings.
Her loving, albeit, daft family cannot understand why. But
Matilda has little use for silly rules and dramas. She
would
rather occupy her time with a worthwhile cause such as
opening The Sheldon Home for Orphans, much to the chagrin
of
her mother and grandmother. They are quite certain a
venture
of this nature will discourage suitors. Matilda is quite
certain that if suitors are discouraged it is because she
is
clever, plain, a bit clumsy, and inevitably compared to
her
beautiful sisters.
The Duke of Thornsby is in tight spot. After receiving the
title on the death of his father, he discovers the
inheritance is to be gifted elsewhere if he does not marry
before his thirtieth birthday. Unfortunately, our
man-about-town is embroiled in a scandal, not of his own
making, and the marriage mamas wonβt let any eligible
misses
anywhere near him. Whatβs a Duke to do? Get invited to a
house party hosted by the notoriously absent-minded Earl
of
Bisset, who just happens to be Papa to some young ladies
of
marriageable age!
Thornsby finds himself fascinated, not with the two
Sheldon
debutantes actively seeking a husband, but rather with the
βbrown wrenβ he first mistakes for a servant. Matilda is
counting the hours until the house party ends when the
necessity of conversing with the guests will be over, and
ridiculously handsome men go far away. Can a worldly Duke
convince a sensible girl to accept his court? Find out in
Charming the Duke.
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