Avon
Featuring: Rafe, The Duke of Holbrook; Lady Imogen Maitland; Gabriel Spenser
400 pages ISBN: 0060781580 EAN: 9780060781583 Kindle: B000MAH7EA Paperback / e-Book Add to Wish List
Finally, time is easing the grief and rage within Imogene
Maitland at the abrupt tragedy that killed her husband of
two weeks. After rusticating in Scotland with her sister
until boredom sets in, Imogene returns to her ex-guardian's
home determined to take a lover and spice up her dismal
life. Already rejected by one rake, Imogene sets her sights
on another one. But undermining her efforts is her former
guardian, Rafe, the Duke of Holbrook. Imogene cares nothing
about her reputation and can't understand Rafe's
determination to protect it.
Rafe prefers living in an alcoholic haze since the death of
his oldest brother. He's not a mean drunk, but a generous
one and generally harms no one. It's not until his long-
lost brother Gabe appears that he grapples with his
drunkenness. Reviewing the emptiness of his life, Rafe
takes the decisive action to stop cold-turkey. After years
of inebriation, his withdrawal from alcohol is brutal.
Imogene, his former ward and a sharp-tongued shrew, mops
his brow while he suffers the symptoms of withdrawal.
Afterward, with a clearer head, Rafe aids Gabe in the
subterfuge of opening the family theatre.
Rafe's invitation brings an interesting mix of people to
his home. Imogene continues to confound him and for the
first time in years, desire reenters his life.
Unexpectedly, Imogene is the one who stirs his desires.
Rafe has his hands full as he courts Imogene in a most
unusual fashion while attempting, with Gabe's aid, to
maneuver a delicate matter.
Ms. James shines while weaving a touching tale of two
people who expertly hide their vulnerability. Adding to the
richness of the story is its cast of unusual characters and
the various subplots involved. THE TAMING OF THE DUKE gives
readers an atypical love story and a tantalizing glimpse
into the last sister's story.
Imogen, Lady Maitland, has decided to dance on the wild
side. After all, she's in the delicious position of being
able to take a lover. A discreet male who knows just when
to leave in the morning.
But Lady Maitland is still under the watchful eye of her
former guardian, the wildly untamed Rafe, the Duke of
Holbrook. He believes she is still in need of a "watchdog."
She laughs at the idea that someone so insufferably lazy
and devoted to drink can demand that she behave with
propriety.
It's Rafe's long-lost brother, a man who looks precisely
like the duke but with none of his degenerate edge, who
interests Imogen. To Imogen, he's the shadow duke...the man
who really should hold the title.
But when Imogen agrees to accompany Gabe to a masquerade...
whose masked eyes watch her with that intense look of
desire? Who exactly is she dancing with? The duke or the
shadow duke?
Rafe...or Gabe?
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