A second son, aghast at watching his brother fritter away his inheritance, dishonouring the title, a young music teacher, accidentally drawn into the secrets and scandals of a Dukedom, a notorious highwayman, an impossible love, a miraculous resolution. Adam Villier, Marquess of Whitewell, is far better suited to being the Duke than his older brother - but that isn't an option, of course, for the only way that Adam could become Duke would be if his brother died - which Adam certainly would not wish for! But, as Adam watches his brother waste away what his father and grandfather built, he is desperate to find a solution, to save the estates, and the tenant farmers and villagers who depend on it. He is driven to ever more desperate measures, even whilst he finds himself captivated by his sister's music teacher - but how could he even consider a relationship, when there is so much that he must do, before disaster strikes? Miss Emme Mowatt enjoys teaching Lady Caroline Villiers, but feels almost threatened by the Duke - yet he is her employer, so she really cannot complain... When his younger brother, Lord Whitewell, begins to be kind to her, to show some interest, she is torn. Can he be serious? Surely not, for she is just a commoner. Nonetheless, she finds herself drawn to him, more and more, her heart hopelessly engaged. While the Duke behaves less and less rationally, they find themselves threatened by a highwayman, who appears to be targeting the roads to Foxridge Park estate specifically, and the tension escalates - except... the farmers and villagers don't seem to fear the highwayman... Emme becomes more and more convinced that something very strange is happening, even as she herself is in danger. Will Adam realise what is happening, and save her in time? Are Emme's suspicions correct, and is the highwayman far more than he seems? Will the Duke come to his senses, or will madness claim him, at risk to his own life? Despite it all, can Emme and Adam admit to their feelings for each other, or is their love doomed from the start?
Author
Arietta Richmond has been a compulsive reader and writer all her life. Whilst her reading has covered an enormous range of topics, history has always fascinated her, and historical novels have been amongst her favourite reading. She has written a wide range of work, from business articles and other non-fiction works (published under a pen name) but fiction has always been a major part of her life. Now, her Regency Historical Romance books are finally being released. The Derbyshire Set is comprised of 10 novels (7 released so far). The ‘His Majesty’s Hounds’ series is comprised of 17novels, with the fourteenth having just been released. She also has a standalone longer novel shortly to be released, and two other series of novels in development. She lives in Australia, and when not reading or writing, likes to travel, and to see in person the places where history happened. Be the first to know about it when Arietta’s next book is released! Sign up to Arietta’s newsletter at http://www.ariettarichmond.com When you do, you will receive two free subscriber exclusive books - ‘A Gift of Love’, which is a prequel to the Derbyshire Set series, and ends on the day that ‘The Earl’s Unexpected Bride’ begins, and ‘Madame’s Christmas Marquis’ which is an additional story in the His Majesty’s Hounds series These stories are not for sale anywhere – they are absolutely exclusive to newsletter subscribers!
