A Song for the Duke at Christmas

Victorian Christmas Novellas

by Allyson Jeleyne

Humiliated over a failed engagement, the Duke of Kilrannoch has retreated to his estate in the Scottish Highlands, determined to spend Christmas alone. When a family of traveling musicians lose their way and unexpectedly arrive on his doorstep, Lachlan must open his home to the cheerful lot.

Miss Henrietta Courtfield has spent her life on the road, spreading good cheer with her family. She secretly dreams of a home of her own and a wardrobe larger than a carpet bag, yet she never expects that the place she belongs is an isolated Scottish estate haunted by a heartbroken nobleman.

Can Lachlan give love another chance, or will this unlikely vagabond lady ride out of his life forever?

A SONG FOR THE DUKE AT CHRISTMAS is a Victorian Christmas novella of approximately 30,000 words.
"Happily ever after” guaranteed!

Romance Heat Level: Warm (2.5 out of 5)

122 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2023

About the author

llyson Jeleyne has been indie publishing historical romance since 2014. She writes tender (open-door!) love stories featuring adventurers, entrepreneurs, heiresses, peeresses, and survivors, each journeying through love and life in the Victorian era. Her novels explore what it means to belong while delivering deeply satisfying happily-ever-afters.

She earned an interdisciplinary studies degree in Creative Writing and Journalism while also studying British history & literature in her spare time. When not writing, she enjoys traveling and checking things off her bucket list.

She makes her home in the South Carolina lowcountry with her beloved dog, Dollie Madison (2005-2022).

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henrietta is part of a family group of singers who travel around for their keep. They have no home and live from day to day.
But on an appointment to sing at a house in the Highlands they get lost and fearing they’re close to death in the freezing cold they find another house nearby and go there for help. This house belongs to Lachlan, the resident Duke, who has shut himself away after suffering a broken heart. But he welcomes them in anyway and gives them shelter. But as he and Henrietta become more friendly they start to form a bond which develops into a lot more.

Not a totally clean story but sweet otherwise. I wasn’t sure I was too keen on the way it was written. It was a tad childish in a way. Almost too naive in its telling. And of course, in a short story like this everything seemed to happen so fast…
For example, the whole romance seemed to happen very quickly. It was like the Duke was languishing away on his own, still in love with his ex one minute, then the next he’s lusting after Henrietta who he’s barely known 5 mins!
And the Duke seemed to change from rude to courteous in the blink of an eye. He went from a grumpy, irritable bear of a man to a kind & gracious host practically overnight!
I also thought Henrietta had a bit of an over-analytic mind. She seemed to be analysing everything the Duke said or did, whether he knew it or not. I wasn’t entirely sure I was keen on her character or not and she was incredibly bold for the time it was set.

So, an ok story, no typos or errors but it might have been much better if the book was longer and the characters could have had more time to be developed further.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this….an embarrassed and heartbroken Duke. and a lovely vagabond! Lachlan retreated to his castle in Scotland after is fiance eloped with another, basically leaving him at the altar. Angry, heartbroken and in both physical and emotional pain, he was determined to lick his wounds and spend Christmas alone. Caught in a snowstorm, freezing and hopelessly lost, Henrietta and her family stumbled across Lachlan’s castle. Much as he desired to be alone, he could not turn them away, and promised to get them to their destination three days hence. What follows is a love story involving two people who are from vastly difference social classes and ways of life. Henrietta and her family make up a troupe of singers and dancers who own little, reside nowhere and travel from place to place performing for pay. Lachlan is a wealthy and powerful duke, with reponsibilities and a rich and noble Scottish history. She degrumps him. Henrietta is a singing, whirling breath of fresh air. Her compassion. optimism and attentiveness capture and mend Lachlan’s broken heart. This is a lovely tale is full of longing, love and finally laughter. It is emotional, steamy and so very uplifting!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marion Löw · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas Romance

A charming Christmas novel with opposites attract and class difference tropes, very likable characters, a nice plot and a few steamier love scenes.

After a riding accident in his childhood, Lachlan has a limb and still hurts. When he is jilted at the altar by the woman he intended to marry, he feels heartbroken, humiliated and a laughing stock to society, so he secludes himself in his Scottish Highland estate. And he is most definitely not in the mood for Christmas.

Henrietta and her family are vagrants and professional singers, she loves her freedom but she longs to settle down.

On the way to a Christmas concert where they are due to perform, they get lost and find shelter in Lachlan's house.
Henrietta is the embodiment of the Christmas spirit, caring and compassionate, and helps to lift Lachlan's spirits. They soon fall in love, but Lachlan can't ask her to give up her freedom..

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a quick and easy to read Christmas novel with a heart-warming happy ending.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a Sweet Holiday Romance

This is a delightful Christmas story so full of holiday cheer. The heroine is a bright ray of sunshine, and our hero is in much need of that. He's been jilted most cruelly and has come back to the family pile to lick his wounds. The heroine and her family are traveling musicians, currently heading for their Christmas gig when things go terribly wrong, and they seek shelter at the hero's home. He's not wild about this at first, but he can't help but become increasingly enchanted by the heroine and her fun-loving family. I loved watching the hero and heroine’s interactions as they got to know each other and we got to know them. We can't help but see what a wonderful influence the heroine has on the hero, and the hero isn't quite so blustery as he comes across at first. A good but fragile heart beats beneath the sometimes rough exterior. If you enjoy well-written holiday historical romances as much as I do, you will probably find yourself as charmed as I was by this delightful story.

I received a free digital copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟ONE TANTALIZING TREAT🌟🌟
Shimmering shivers Slim! Allyson never ceases to amaze, cranking this puppy up full-throttle, mind-full of the traumatic trials and tumultuous triumphs as the trubulent twists and titillating turns mount. Unexpected events and surprising mishaps descend in a tempest of shattered boundaries and blurred lines mount, while the dramatic ups and turbulent downs unfurl. The attraction and chemistry builds as each layer is peeled back, sizzling emotions and intense affections, baring souls and binding hearts, melding them together beautifully. The characters are complex, realistic and genuine with engaging qualities and distinctive attributes, adding depth and diversity, transforming into charismatic personalities. Exhibiting gripping scenario's, ramping up the exuberance and adrenaline with such intensity and precision, spinning this gem into a tailspin with a mind-blowing culmination. Awesome job Allyson, thanks for sharing this incredible delight with us.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being left at the alter Lachlan retreats to his Highland home to be alone in the hopes his heart would heal. When the Courtfield Carrolers show up at his door half frozen and lost he invites them to stay the night and Mr. Courtfield, his wife, son and his wife along with Mr.Courtfield beautiful daughter Henrietta stay a few days before their next appearance for the Christmas holiday party but Henrietta has healed his heart with her inner joy but does she feel the same way about him. This is a lovely book with joyful characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isolation or Love ? . . .

Humiliated when his fiancée ran off with someone else, Lachlan, the Duke of Kilrannoch, was heartbroken and went into hiding at his Scottish castle to find some peace and healing. He wants to be alone. But when a family of traveling musicians gets lost in a snowstorm and arrives on his doorstep needing help, he can’t in good conscience turn them away. Henrietta has music in her soul and helps to bring Lachlan out of his pain. Can she and her family share their happiness too? Better yet, will he give love a second chance? Or will he let Henrietta walk away from his life once the storm has ended?

[Ingrid Quitslund · Rating 4 out of 5]

The joyous Christmas spirit

Lachlan hides in Scotland after his bride bolts to marry another leaving him standing at the altar. His peace and solitude is interrupted when the Courtfield Carolers appear at his door seeking refuge having taken a wrong turn in the Highlands. Thus begins Henrietta and his story as they are immediately drawn to one another. His broken heart is healed and her dreams realized as the castle is filled with the spirit of Christmas. A sullen Lachlan's life is turned around by joyful giving Henrietta for a HEA.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and entertaining read, Lachlan and Henrietta's story was an easy read set during the Christmas season.

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely romance where opposites attract and find a true and everlasting love. Henrietta and Lachlan have a special connection that comes through in the story.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A joyous happy read

What fun & satisfying read. A real Happy Ever After one. Allyson has made a Christmas story meaningful & delightful.