Disaster and the Duke

by Elizabeth Bailey

Edition: ARC

Synopsis: Sparks fly between an accident-prone young woman and a sardonic duke…
1806, England
With her father disinherited, young Hetty Latimer has been left without a dowry. Having given up hope of ever marrying, she spends her days secretly creating pictures to help supplement her family’s income.

While out gathering wildflowers for her project, she stumbles across Theo Devenal, the new Duke of Charlton. With the duke’s sardonic humour and Hetty’s sensibility, sparks immediately fly and a mutual attraction blossoms. However, disaster strikes when the two are caught in an apparently compromising position by Hetty’s furious father.

Unwilling to exacerbate his wrath, Theo and Hetty do their best to avoid each other, but their paths continue to cross. And each time, Theo is obliged to rescue the accident-prone Hetty from trouble.

Although conscious that he is expected to marry high, the duke soon finds his feelings for Hetty intensifying. Chafing against the strictures of his exalted position, he now must decide whether he is prepared to flout convention and follow his heart…

With her father disinherited, Hetty and her twin sister resolve to use their creativity to help supplement their family’s reduced income. Hetty gathers wildflowers for her picture and stumbles into the new Duke of Charlton, Theo Devenal. Sparks fly between them, but misunderstandings make matters difficult. Will a duke flout convention to wed a penniless lady with a penchant for disaster?

This was a sweet tale. Though I thought the “love” between them an exaggeration of the attraction that happened early on, I found this young pair believable and gave them a pass on the matter. They both behave like the young people they are, still learning to find their place in the world. I was sympathetic to Theo’s reluctance to fall into the expectations of society regarding his rank. Hetty’s penchant for bursting into tears over everything was slightly annoying.

Overall, it is a sweet, easy-to-read romance. The plot is well paced and uncomplicated. Those who are looking for a relaxing afternoon read will probably enjoy this one.