The Duke I Came For
Series: Ashton Park #4
Author: Abigail Bridges
Published January 24th 2022 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
Neither of them is where they want to be. They are, however, where they need to be.

Lady Elizabeth Ashton had been one of the 1825 season’s best-known and desired debutantes. But when her brother’s scandal leaves Beth’s reputation in tatters, she seeks refuge at the northern estate of her sister-in-law’s aunt. But all is not as it appears at the home of Lady Sophia Timmons, and Beth soon discovers Sophia is quietly providing a refuge for young women who have been ruined—a secret the entire household works to keep hidden.

But as Beth heads north, Richard Christopher Caudale, Duke of Kirkstone, heads south. Kit has been searching for his sister Mary for months and has tracked her to the home of Lady Sophia Timmons. But the weeks on the road have taken their toll, and by the time Kit arrives at Timmons House, he collapses, ill and close to death.

On impulse Beth volunteers to nurse the young duke back to health, vowing to keep Sophia’s secret safe. Mary, however, is in the house and for the same reason as Sophia’s other guests—she is with child, ruined and at risk of destroying her family. As Kit heals, however, Beth devises an outrageous plan to salvage them all.

If only Kit is courageous and daring enough to try.
Goodreads

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

After her brother's scandal, and her fiancee deciding that the scandal - and pressure from his father - is too much and he breaks off the engagement, Lady Elizabeth Ashton is ready for a change. Travelling with only her maid to the home of a distant relative, Beth discovers that Timmons Manor is more than a home, but a refuge for women in their time of need. Titles and status mean nothing, and the ladies embrace Beth as one of their own. When the Duke of Kirkstone comes bearing down on the Manor, intent on finding his missing sister, the women want him gone. Lady Mary has a good reason for fleeing home, and though Kit loves her, she is not ready to return. However, Kit is ill, and his time on the road the last few months has left him weak. Collapsing in the entrance hall, Beth promises to care for him and nurse him back to health, and then he'll be on his way. But Beth forgets that he was once someone she thought to marry, though the feelings were too much. And when those feelings return, and grow, will she be able to deny what she wants?

I really think this was my favourite book of the series. Both Beth and Kit have a history, and though Beth initially picked another man over Kit, we learn it was because she was worried her growing feelings for him would get in the way of the type of marriage she thought she wanted. The scenes while at Timmons Manor, when Kit was healing, and both he and Beth were getting to know each other better, much more than during the Season with all of its rules, was fantastic. I appreciated all of the people who lived or worked at Timmons Hall, and the whole reason it was needed. Sophie and Daphne were the perfect women to be 'in charge', and Mary was so strong after what she had gone through. One thing that I wish was in the book, particularly the epilogue, was that we saw more of Mattie and her little brother. Even so, the romance was the best of the series, and Kit and Beth's love was clear from the start. There's was not an easy journey, but well worth it in the end!

Dates Read:
January 14, 2023

Rating
3 Stars