Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 7/8/2020 + 2617 more book reviews

Good book about two likable people who are victims of their circumstances. Althea is the sister of a duke who chose to live at her estate in Yorkshire rather than subject herself to London society again. Althea and her siblings grew up in poverty with an abusive father. Althea spent her childhood protecting her younger siblings while her older brother worked to put food on the table. Years later, Quinn unexpectedly inherited a dukedom, thrusting the whole family into the limelight. Althea became the target of gossips making her Seasons miserable. Tired of the bullying, Althea decided to seek a husband in Yorkshire, only to find that the local gossips are just as bad. Althea decides that her only hope is to get the local duke on her side.

Nathaniel, Duke of Rothaven, is known in the county as an abrasive, unwelcoming recluse. He gallops his horse around the moors during the night, a habit that adds to his fearsome reputation. It becomes evident very quickly that Nathaniel fostered that reputation himself as a way to hide the truth. Far from being the black-hearted villain he portrays, Nathaniel is a kind-hearted man who loves his family and his lands. He plays the part of the duke to protect his older brother, an epileptic, who was sent to an asylum when they were boys. Told by their father that Robbie was dead, Nathaniel didn't discover the truth until after his father's death. It has taken five years for Robbie to recover even partially from the cruel treatment he received, and he still refuses to take his proper place. This leaves Nathaniel caught in a dilemma. He can't reveal the truth, which would put Robbie in danger, and open himself up to accusations of fraud. It also means that he is condemned to live his life alone.

I loved the first meeting between Althea and Nathaniel. She tried traditional methods of making his acquaintance but was turned away. So she purposely set her prize-winning hogs loose in his orchard, hoping to draw him out. Nathaniel's fuming arrival at her door is met with offers of tea, cakes, and conversation. He tries to refuse and is met with an iron-willed refusal to accept his rejection, complete with a gentle lecture on proper behavior. Her request for advice on dealing with local society surprises him, and he gives her a few hints before making his escape.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Nathaniel is intrigued by Althea and drawn to her in unexpected ways. She stirs emotions in him that he has locked away for years. He can't court her, he can't marry her - but he can't stay away from her. Althea discovers the truth early on, and her understanding further endears her to Nathaniel. Althea is impressed by the man under the reputation and drawn to his love for and loyalty to his family. A crisis throws them together, and their feelings for each other continue to grow. I ached for Nathaniel, who can't see any way for them to be together. His sadness, loneliness, and frustration are evident, as are his conflicting emotions of love, anger, and guilt toward Robbie. Althea is independent, stronger than she realizes, and also haunted by the events of her childhood. Not only is she protective of her own family, that protectiveness soon extends to Nathaniel and Robbie. Things become more complicated when an outsider makes trouble, and Althea's family gets involved. The situation is resolved brilliantly, and I laughed as the spiteful cat got her comeuppance at the same time Nathaniel receives his heart's desire.

I loved the secondary characters as they were portrayed. Robbie made my heart ache for everything he went through. The descriptions of the treatment of people with epilepsy were vivid and painful. It was surprising that Robbie had come as far as he had. That said, there were times that I felt he was unreasonably obstinate. I liked what I saw of Althea's brother, Stephen. He is another who suffered at the hands of his father in ways that affected his life permanently. He loves his family and is very protective of Althea. I liked seeing him go head-to-head with her as both were evenly matched in stubbornness. There is also a great scene between him and Nathaniel. The staff at Rothaven were also wonderful. They are old and valued retainers working well past when they would typically have retired. They take full advantage of their positions in some surprising ways.

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