Escaping the Duke
Series: The Secret Crusaders #1
Author: Melanie Rose Clarke
Published June 17th 2021 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
Ignore powerful dukes who sabotage your plans.

Welcome to book 1 in the debut series, The Secret Crusaders, from the talented Melanie Rose Clarke!

Priscilla Livingston has dedicated her life to social causes, fighting to right the cruel injustices the world ignores. Under the guise of a lord, she sends messages to Edmund Hawkins, the powerful Duke of Bradenton. He doesn’t know his informant is a lady, even as he investigates to uncover her identity. When her father demands she find a husband, she cannot choose Edmund, who would demand total surrender.

But when he catches her spying, she may not have a choice.

Edmund is intrigued by the beautiful lady caught snooping through a dangerous lord’s home. Lady Priscilla may act the perfect duke’s daughter, but fiery mystery burns beneath the flawless façade. He sees the passion she cannot hide, the spirited woman who would make the perfect duchess. He will discover her every secret.

Then, he will make her his.
Goodreads

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

Ever since she witnessed her grandmother save a child's life, Lady Priscilla Livingston has done everything she could to help those in life who are ignored. But, as a woman, her choices are limited, so she creates the persona of 'Lord P', and acts as informant to Edmund Hawkins, the powerful Duke of Bradenton, who uses the information she discovers to help pass laws and enact change. However, her father has said she needs to marry, and when she thinks her plan to find a boring, and more importantly, busy, husband, here enters Edmund, who sets his sights on Priscilla, and won't be discouraged. Not even when he discovers that she's keeping secrets, and is potentially in danger; in fact, it spurs him on further. Will Priscilla be able to stick to her morals, and continue her good work, or will all be revealed?

I really enjoyed this book, and flew through it once I started it. Both Priscilla and Edmund were interesting characters, who we learnt more about as the book progressed. Both were from lofty and highly privileged backgrounds, as the daughter of a duke, and a duke himself, respectively, but cared about those most in society deem as 'lower' or 'unworthy'. They can see the world is changing, and society needs to be reformed to make it a better place, and even if they have to go to dangerous lengths to manage it, they will do. Their chemistry was unreal, and I loved the banter between them, and especially how conflicted Priscilla was about lying to Edmund about 'Lord P'. Their relationship was fantastic, and I can definitely see how Melanie is setting the scene for the following books in the series - hopefully about our couple's friends. I look forward to continuing the series!

Dates Read:
June 13, 2021

Rating
4 Stars