The Scottish Duke
Duke Trilogy #1
By: Karen Ranney
Releasing November
29, 2016
Avon Books
Avon Books
Blurb
New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney returns with the first novel in a new series about dashing, charismatic dukes—and the women who tame them…
Though raised as a gentleman’s daughter, Lorna Gordon is obliged to take a position as an upstairs maid at Blackhall Castle when her father dies. Alex Russell, the Duke of Kinross, is the most tempting man she’s ever seen—and completely unattainable—until, at a fancy dress ball, Lorna disguises herself as Marie Antoinette and pursues an illicit tryst…with scandalous consequences.
Months after his mysterious seductress disappears, Alex encounters her again. Far from the schemer the distrustful duke assumed her to be, Lorna is fiercely independent and resourceful. She’s the one woman capable of piercing his defenses. But when danger threatens Lorna, Alex must prove himself not just the lover of her fantasies, but the man who will fight to protect her.
New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney returns with the first novel in a new series about dashing, charismatic dukes—and the women who tame them…
Though raised as a gentleman’s daughter, Lorna Gordon is obliged to take a position as an upstairs maid at Blackhall Castle when her father dies. Alex Russell, the Duke of Kinross, is the most tempting man she’s ever seen—and completely unattainable—until, at a fancy dress ball, Lorna disguises herself as Marie Antoinette and pursues an illicit tryst…with scandalous consequences.
Months after his mysterious seductress disappears, Alex encounters her again. Far from the schemer the distrustful duke assumed her to be, Lorna is fiercely independent and resourceful. She’s the one woman capable of piercing his defenses. But when danger threatens Lorna, Alex must prove himself not just the lover of her fantasies, but the man who will fight to protect her.
I knew I needed to start this book soon, but when I started it I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! The only reason I had to stop reading was NYQIL kicked in and that stuff knocks me. Had my cold not been a hindrance I would have read this in a day. Yes, it was that good. The Scottish Duke is probably my favorite book Karen has written. Seriously, she had me at page one. I was a little worry about the story, because I thought it was going to be a Cinderella story. I'm not a big fan of Cinderella stories. There are a few that I do love, like EverAfter. The one with Drew Barrymore. In someways, The Scottish Duke reminded me of that movie.
Anyway, Lorna is a dreamer and she never really thought she would catch the duke's attention however she did and lets say it didn't go according to plan. Yes, there were consequences, but she was willing to live with the consequence of her action. Good thing she has a good friend, Nan, who decided to make her realize she needs more help. Anyway, Alex has been burned before, so he doesn't know if he could trust Lorna. Yet, he's taken aback by Lorna reaction to him. He believes she's after his money, but she's stubborn and refuses to take his help.
All right, The Scottish Duke is filled with characters that you will grow to love as they help Lorna. We have Alex's mom, Louise. She's super kind and develops a friendship with Lorna. There is Uncle Thomas. He's something else, but I do like how he grows in the story. Mary. You always have one crazy relative. A beautiful written that has you wanting to continue. The pace of the story seemed just right. Overall, one of my favorite reads of the year.
Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss
Excerpt:
The last thing
Alexander Russell, the 9th Duke of Kinross, wanted to do was mingle with his
guests. He could put the time to better use. Nor did he have friends among the
throng. Acquaintances, perhaps, but few could be called more than that,
especially after this afternoon when he’d been subjected to a humiliating rout.
Nevertheless, Alex forced himself to
enter the ballroom, pasting a smile on his face that hid his true feelings.
The ballroom had been polished like
a seldom worn crown. The three rows of four brass and crystal chandeliers
illuminated every inch of the massive room, reflecting light off the windows
and making the floor shine.
The jewels in the crown were the
women, most of whom had taken to the idea of a fancy dress ball with
enthusiasm, choosing costumes ranging from stunning to amusing with a few
ridiculous examples in between. A half dozen hapless husbands were dressed to
compliment their wives’ choices, but most men were attired in black evening
dress.
At least twenty-five of them had
witnessed his drubbing this afternoon.
Tonight’s entertainment was the last
time he’d have to stand here and smile fatuously. He couldn’t wait for them all
to be driven back to the train station tomorrow morning, en route to their
various homes. The Scottish Society for Scientific Achievement could go to hell
and with it their annual medal.
Someone in this room was a traitor.
Not to country, even though they might well stoop to that. Someone here, being
feted and entertained, had betrayed him. That was the only reason Simons had
won the damn medal. Alex’s research was nearly word for word with the other man’s.
His subjects were more numerous, however, numbering in the thousands to Simons’
hundreds. Even Simons’ conclusions, enumerated on the last page of his paper,
had sounded too close to his own words. But his findings had been submitted to
the Society a good three months before Simon’s. Three months, yet Simons had
been the one critically acclaimed.
Someone had leaked the results of
his research. Either a member of the Society attending this ball, the last
event of a torturous week of hosting at Blackhall Castle, or someone to whom
he’d confided about his work.
“You must learn to trust people,
Alex,” his mother had once said to him.
He couldn’t remember why she’d
offered up the sentiment, but he could remember the occasion. They’d been
standing in Blackhall’s chapel and watching as the bronze plaque had been
affixed to his wife’s last resting place.
He could also recall his response.
He’d turned to her and said, “Why?”
She hadn’t an answer, which was a
pity. Perhaps her words could have softened his emotion. Ruth, the late Duchess
of Kinross, hadn’t been faithful, a fact that had been tearfully admitted by
her sister.
“You mustn’t hate her, Alex. Ruth
always wanted admiration. When you were too busy to give it to her, she sought
it elsewhere.”
His wife would have enjoyed this
ball. She would have purchased something ruinously expensive to wear, and no
doubt a little shocking. She would have flitted among the guests, charming
everyone. He could almost see her golden hair bobbing as she turned to greet one
person then another. The noise level was intense in the ballroom and his memory
furnished her laughter. Those who’d never come to Blackhall would leave with
praises for her on their lips.
She made us feel so welcome.
What a gracious person the duchess is.
How beautiful she is and that gown!
Ruth had a bright and receptive
approach to life. If it was interesting or exciting, Ruth wanted to experience
it. Her blond beauty was only enhanced by her trilling laugh, a smile that she
used to great advantage and a skilled, almost manipulative way, she had of
making any man feel as if he were the most important person in a room.
Ruth collected people the way other
women collected gloves. She had dozens of friends, each one of whom thought she
was the most important person in Ruth’s life. They never figured out that Ruth
didn’t care about them individually. She only wanted the adulation such friends
brought to her. The more important, titled, or wealthy the better. He had come
to believe it was the same reason she’d married him.
By the second month of his marriage
he realized she didn’t give a flying farthing for him. He was just a mark on a
mental scorecard, an item no more important than a scarf from her dresser or a
gown from her armoire.
After her death he’d been approached
by one poor sod who’d openly wept about her passing. He’d wanted to ask the man
if he genuinely believed Ruth had loved him, then realized that the truth
wouldn’t serve any purpose.
As far as he was concerned, Ruth
wasn’t capable of loving anyone other than herself.
He had no doubt that, given the
passage of years, she would have still charmed people. They would have said
things like: she hasn’t changed, has she? She’s still one of the most
beautiful women in Scotland, isn’t she?
Ruth would have gloried in their
comments. She would have draped herself in diamonds whose sparkle matched that
in her eyes. Did you hear that, Alex? They did enjoy themselves, didn’t
they? We should entertain again soon, I think.
Even perched in the middle of the
Highlands, Blackhall Castle had once been known for its hospitality, its
entertainments, and its beauty.
The beauty had never faded even
though it took a fortune to maintain. The entertainments were fewer lately; he
hadn’t the inclination to invite hoards of people to his home. And the
hospitality? At the moment, he wished them all to perdition, including the men
from the Society in their evening attire, clustered in small groups around the
ballroom.
Who would Ruth have dressed as
tonight? He suspected she would prefer to come as herself, the Duchess of
Kinross. Or perhaps she would have stolen her sister’s costume. Mary was
Cleopatra, her long, white tunnel like dress adorned with an intricate gold
necklace. His mother was Queen Elizabeth, if he didn’t miss his guess, complete
with a bright curly red wig.
Why was Ruth at the forefront of his
mind tonight? Because he felt betrayed again? Because this was the first ball
they’d held since her death three years ago? Because he’d been made raw with
this feeling that he’d been a fool?
The orchestra his mother had hired
was excellent. They were playing a waltz and a great many people were dancing.
He should be a good host and greet his guests, but he had neither the will nor
the ability to mask his emotions that well. He was furious, the rage building
with each moment he stood there.
He waited until a footman was near,
then gave him an order in a low voice. In moments the young man returned with a
tumbler filled with whiskey.
“Watch me,” he said. “When it’s
empty, I want you to bring me another one.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
He didn’t drink often, but tonight
he was going to with the single minded pursuit of drunkenness. He could only
remember two times he’d done something similar in recent memory: the day he’d learned
his wife had been unfaithful and the day she’d died in childbirth, taking his
heir with her. Or perhaps the child hadn’t been his after all, a question he’d
never have answered.
Tonight seemed an excellent occasion
as well. He was facing the destruction of a dream, one brought about by someone
he’d trusted.
“You must learn to trust people,
Alex.”
The echo of his mother’s voice
intruded into his thoughts.
Why seemed as good a word as any in response.
Or perhaps a resounding no would suffice.
Goodreads Series Link
Author
Info
Now
a New York Times and USA Today bestseller,
she prefers to keep her adventures between the covers of her books. Karen lives
in San Antonio, Texas.
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