Deflecting the Duke
Series: Dukes Done Wrong #2
Author: Alexa Aston
Published August 24th 2021 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
Welcome to the new world from Alexa Aston—Dukes Done Wrong.

Accused of something they never did. Five boys banished from their homes in disgrace, to the place where they find the brothers of their heart—and build new family ties that will last a lifetime.

An angry army spy who becomes a reluctant duke. A virgin widow who seeks a husband who will give her children. An attraction that leads to passion... and love...

Wyatt Stanton served as a spy for Wellington until he receives word of his brother’s death. Reluctantly, he returns to England as the Duke of Amesbury and to Amberwood, a place he once loved and was banished from after his brother falsely accused Wyatt of burning down the family stables with over two dozen horses inside. His soul seared by war, the man who lived for danger must now become a member of Polite Society and find himself a duchess so he has an heir.

Meadow Grant’s father sold her to Lord Selfridge so he could pay his gambling debts. Selfridge collects beautiful things, and Meadow is the most beautiful girl of the Season. Once he possessed her, Selfridge lost interest and moved on to other things. Now a widow, the resilient Meadow is ready to make her own choice this time and find a husband who yearns for children as much as she does. Though attracted to the Duke of Amesbury, he is far too arrogant and conceited for her tastes, even if he does kiss well.

Wyatt is bored with all the younger women on the Marriage Mart, but he believes the beautiful and more mature Lady Selfridge fits his idea of a suitable duchess. The fact that he is attracted to her and she gets along well with his friends only confirms she is the one. Meadow wants to be courted, though, and Wyatt is up to the challenge, relentless in his pursuit, even liking how Meadow makes him work to earn her favor.

Though neither looks for love, will the reckless Wyatt and spitfire Meadow realize love has found them and will flourish, given the chance?
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

When he was sent away from home, accused for setting the fire which killed multiple horses in a locked stable, Wyatt Stanton is glad to see the back of his father, and wicked older brother. He's found his family at the Turner School, and has made a name for himself in the military. Now Duke of Amesbury, following his father and brother's deaths, he knows he needs to fix the estate, and do right by the staff and tenants who suffered under his predecessors. He also needs to find a wife, and soon, in order to beget and heir and a spare for the estate, but he doesn't want a dewey faced debutante, fresh out of the school room. His friend, Miles, Duke of Winslow, and his new wife, Emery, agree to help Wyatt in learning the ropes of being Duke, and finding his partner. But as soon as he spots Meadow, Lady Selfridge, he will marry her, and no one else. When Meadow was enjoying her first season, her father sold her to the elderly Lord Selfridge, who treated her like a prize, and hid her in the countryside. Now widowed, and alone apart from her cousin, she wants to marry again, and have a family, but never thinks she would be good enough to be with Wyatt. And when the wicked Lord Kibbard comes out of the woodwork, and starts to blackmail Meadow over a vile possession her late husband owned, Wyatt will do anything to save Meadow, and punish Kibbard.

I think I might have liked this book even better than the first. Meadow was a truly fantastic main character, and the perfect fit for Wyatt, who was brash and gruff when they first met. The power of being duke had gone to his head, and he expected Meadow to fawn over him, and accept his abrupt proposal immediately, but she made him work for it. Their romance grew naturally, and I liked to see them both become more real with each other, and see their softer sides. The blackmail plot, and what it was about, was sickening, and I'm so glad that Kibbard got his punishment in the end, and that Wyatt and Meadow were able to rescue the children who'd suffered so much! I'm looking forward to book 3.

Dates Read:
August 13, 2021

Rating
4 Stars