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Clairvoir Castle Romances #0.5
A Duchess for the Duke
A young duke takes a wife, a practical match, with neither suspecting that a lasting legacy of love is in their future...
Gregory Dinard, a young and inexperienced duke, finds himself in need of a companion to help him navigate the intricacies of his new role. Uncertain of his abilities and unwilling to take a chance at love, he looks for a marriage of mutual benefit rather than a match of mutual affection. A woman of grace and intelligence, Lady Cecilia never expects to catch a duke’s eye. Despite her surprise, she agrees to the arrangement when the duke proposes an alliance with her, knowing it would allow her the freedom and opportunity to explore her love of architecture. As they embark on their new life together, Gregory discovers both an affection for and an undeniable attraction to his wife that he cannot ignore. But can a practical marriage become something more, or will he face a future of unrequited love for his duchess?
~
In this prequel novella to the Regency romance series, Clairvoir Castle Romances, you are invited to see how it all began with a duke, his duchess, and an old stone castle.
This novella can be enjoyed on its own, but those familiar with the Clairvoir Castle Romances will find the story of the duke and duchess especially satisfying. This is a sweet romance, kisses and closed door only.
Full-length novels in the series
Mr. Gardiner and the Governess
A Companion for the Count
Sir Andrew and the Authoress
Lord Farleigh and Miss Frost
Gregory Dinard, a young and inexperienced duke, finds himself in need of a companion to help him navigate the intricacies of his new role. Uncertain of his abilities and unwilling to take a chance at love, he looks for a marriage of mutual benefit rather than a match of mutual affection. A woman of grace and intelligence, Lady Cecilia never expects to catch a duke’s eye. Despite her surprise, she agrees to the arrangement when the duke proposes an alliance with her, knowing it would allow her the freedom and opportunity to explore her love of architecture. As they embark on their new life together, Gregory discovers both an affection for and an undeniable attraction to his wife that he cannot ignore. But can a practical marriage become something more, or will he face a future of unrequited love for his duchess?
~
In this prequel novella to the Regency romance series, Clairvoir Castle Romances, you are invited to see how it all began with a duke, his duchess, and an old stone castle.
This novella can be enjoyed on its own, but those familiar with the Clairvoir Castle Romances will find the story of the duke and duchess especially satisfying. This is a sweet romance, kisses and closed door only.
Full-length novels in the series
Mr. Gardiner and the Governess
A Companion for the Count
Sir Andrew and the Authoress
Lord Farleigh and Miss Frost
128 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2023
170 people are currently reading
670 people want to read
About the author
Sally Britton
47 books1,264 followersSally Britton is sixth generation Texan, received her BA in English forever ago, and reads voraciously. She started her writing journey at the tender age of fourteen on an electric typewriter, and she’s never looked back.
Sally lives in Oklahoma with her husband, four children, and their overly energetic Australian Shepherds, cat, and snake named Nancy. She loves researching, hiking, and eating too much chocolate.
Sally lives in Oklahoma with her husband, four children, and their overly energetic Australian Shepherds, cat, and snake named Nancy. She loves researching, hiking, and eating too much chocolate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
May 12, 2024
reread 05/2024
Lovely introduction to my favorite series by Sally Britton.
This novella is about how the duke and duchess found love 25-30 years before the start of the series itself.
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read 01/2023
Sweet, short prequel to the series.
This was a free novella.
Lovely introduction to my favorite series by Sally Britton.
This novella is about how the duke and duchess found love 25-30 years before the start of the series itself.
-----
read 01/2023
Sweet, short prequel to the series.
This was a free novella.
April 20, 2022
Well that was beautiful!!! This is a novella length story attach to the Clairvoir Castle Romances series:} These are the parents or owners of the castle. This is one of my favorite types of story! The awkward beginning as two people marry and the find love. It's almost more of a choice and I just find it lovely:} This was all I wanted and didn't know it! It was so sweet! He was so kind! She was so strong minded! Just so good to read! I actually heaved a big' ol sigh at the end. Just well done Sally.
These are proper romances with no violence or religion or sexual content.
These are proper romances with no violence or religion or sexual content.
August 29, 2023
This was so cute *screams into a pillow* The Duke and Duchess were so cute🥹❤️
May 8, 2022
1791, England
This was a fun novella prequel for the Clairvoir Castle series. Gives a bit of a background on the castle that I am assuming will be featured in the upcoming series. This was a pleasant read, I liked the straightforward nature of it all. Gregory and Cecelia were well matched, things progress quickly between them, but it seemed realistic for the time period and stations they had. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Content Rated G
Romance: Kissing, mention of closed door intimacy between married couple
Language: None
Violence: None
This was a fun novella prequel for the Clairvoir Castle series. Gives a bit of a background on the castle that I am assuming will be featured in the upcoming series. This was a pleasant read, I liked the straightforward nature of it all. Gregory and Cecelia were well matched, things progress quickly between them, but it seemed realistic for the time period and stations they had. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Content Rated G
Romance: Kissing, mention of closed door intimacy between married couple
Language: None
Violence: None
December 12, 2023
Loved it waaaay more than Mr. Gardiner. So heartwarming and was a very satisfying tale even despite its length.
January 20, 2025
This was very sweet, perhaps a tad lost in the last few chapters but sweet nevertheless.
"I thought you said you had no objection to being a duchess? You certainly sound as though you object to the idea now.” He folded his arms across his chest and tipped his head to the side, studying her.
Cecilia threw her free hand to the side, gesturing to the gardens around him. “I object to the absurd manner in which you present the idea.”
“Ah. So if I called upon your father with a proposition for taking your hand in marriage, that would be better?”
“You will not call upon my father.”
His lips twitched. “I might.”
I really loved the older version of Cecilia and Gregory and was curious to learn more of their past... And I must say that the first half of the book was an amazing example in cute banter and silly quips, which later sadly took a backseat to the whole "misunderstanding" bit. Still, lots of gentleness and honesty - now I see where Simon got it from :)
I especially loved how Gregory was determined in his support of Cecilia, both emotionally and physically; the way he was patient and understanding of her fears and struggles in a way that no one has really done for him before kinda made my heart ache (the scene where he finally breaks down and cries his fill made me so... so.) 🥺💕
"I thought you said you had no objection to being a duchess? You certainly sound as though you object to the idea now.” He folded his arms across his chest and tipped his head to the side, studying her.
Cecilia threw her free hand to the side, gesturing to the gardens around him. “I object to the absurd manner in which you present the idea.”
“Ah. So if I called upon your father with a proposition for taking your hand in marriage, that would be better?”
“You will not call upon my father.”
His lips twitched. “I might.”
I really loved the older version of Cecilia and Gregory and was curious to learn more of their past... And I must say that the first half of the book was an amazing example in cute banter and silly quips, which later sadly took a backseat to the whole "misunderstanding" bit. Still, lots of gentleness and honesty - now I see where Simon got it from :)
I especially loved how Gregory was determined in his support of Cecilia, both emotionally and physically; the way he was patient and understanding of her fears and struggles in a way that no one has really done for him before kinda made my heart ache (the scene where he finally breaks down and cries his fill made me so... so.) 🥺💕
June 11, 2023
Super sweet; no angst & no sex. Safe.
August 30, 2022
I really enjoyed this novella that's the prequel to the Clairvoir Castle Romances series. I liked both Cecilia and Gregory, there were no games between them. I liked how easy they were with each other and couldn't wait until they realized that true affection and love had developed between them. I've read a couple of the Clairvoir Castle books and love knowing how it all came about. This is such a sweet and romantic story.
April 10, 2024
A sweet story, and I loved the way that both Gregory and Cecelia accepted their roles in society and did their best to fulfill their responsibilities, rather than pining for a love match or grasping at some improbable straw to save them from other people's expectations. And I loved how naturally their relationship developed, though not without the occasional mistake or misunderstanding. I love both of their characters, and I hope I get to see more of them in the main series. ;)
Content--a few veiled references to marital duties and a mention of a married couple together in bed, but nothing explicit
Content--a few veiled references to marital duties and a mention of a married couple together in bed, but nothing explicit
August 29, 2022
This is the perfect prequel novella for the series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is the duke's story of how he meets and weds his duchess, Cecilia, and how she turns the ancestral castle ruins into their home. The castle is a huge focal point in the series, plus the epilogue sets up the first book in the series where the Duke and Duchess accidentally witness Alice and Rupert's first catastrophic meeting. Love it!
The romance, tenderness, and kindness in this novella sets the precedent for the loving family the Duke and Duchess raise, and the stories to follow in the next books.
Clean read, zero steam, beautifully written.
The romance, tenderness, and kindness in this novella sets the precedent for the loving family the Duke and Duchess raise, and the stories to follow in the next books.
Clean read, zero steam, beautifully written.
June 20, 2023
This was such a cute novella!
November 15, 2024
I received an arc for the latest book in this series (Lady Juniper's story) - it was my first in the series - and enjoyed it so much that I vowed to start from the beginning and here I am! What a wonderful novella!
May 9, 2022
I have read all the books in this series. After reading the first one I was really drawn to knowing more about the Duke. I wanted to read his story. So it was fun to read this novella. I kind of felt we got a glance at understanding more about the Duke and his personality but I kind of feel we got a bigger glance into the heart of the duchess. But it was a fun story.
June 12, 2023
a cute novella and quite effective set up for a series! i admit, this did not really sweep me off my feet but given the format that is not very common anyway, so on that regard i am not complaining. on the other hand, i must compliment the writing, it was solid and kept me turning pages. i knew without a doubt after a chapter or two that i would read more by this author.
the problem i had is a bigger issue really and that is that clean romance simply does not work for me when it involves a marriage of convenience. i understand it is a matter of personal preference but intimacy will never not seem something too important to like... barely even allude to it taking place. it weirds me out. how does sex not affect a relationship, especially a budding romance? very well, it is not necessary for it to be shown, just a line or two mentioning the characters find it enjoyable or more pleasing than expected would be Something, at the very least. but alright, it is the author's decision to handle it this way and i respect that. i still can't help that it dampened my enjoyment.
but back to the good stuff! i really liked cecilia and gregory, i appreciated that they were both practical and dutiful people that did everything they could to fulfill their responsibilities. cecilia's passion for architecture was endearing, and i love that she got to take on a project as huge as the castle reconstruction that allowed her to exploit that passion and which also became a labor of love for her husband and their family over the years. i can't wait to meet their children and other members of their household in the stories that follow this one!
the problem i had is a bigger issue really and that is that clean romance simply does not work for me when it involves a marriage of convenience. i understand it is a matter of personal preference but intimacy will never not seem something too important to like... barely even allude to it taking place. it weirds me out. how does sex not affect a relationship, especially a budding romance? very well, it is not necessary for it to be shown, just a line or two mentioning the characters find it enjoyable or more pleasing than expected would be Something, at the very least. but alright, it is the author's decision to handle it this way and i respect that. i still can't help that it dampened my enjoyment.
but back to the good stuff! i really liked cecilia and gregory, i appreciated that they were both practical and dutiful people that did everything they could to fulfill their responsibilities. cecilia's passion for architecture was endearing, and i love that she got to take on a project as huge as the castle reconstruction that allowed her to exploit that passion and which also became a labor of love for her husband and their family over the years. i can't wait to meet their children and other members of their household in the stories that follow this one!
January 13, 2026
A romantic story about a Duke and a Duchess who deepen their marriage by building a castle together, oh, and a family too...
Beautiful, sweet writing, evocative, and absolutely heartbreaking how Cecilia doubted herself and her talents and her gifts and love that she brought to her marriage... a sincere and considerate Duke too.. sure to make one swoon...
3.5 stars.
Beautiful, sweet writing, evocative, and absolutely heartbreaking how Cecilia doubted herself and her talents and her gifts and love that she brought to her marriage... a sincere and considerate Duke too.. sure to make one swoon...
3.5 stars.
July 11, 2023
This was an adorable novella. I enjoyed every bit of it and I loved how the epilogue set up the next
book and the entire series. Cecilla's love of buildings and architecture was super cool and how that plays in to Clairvoir Castle itself. Loved this book!
book and the entire series. Cecilla's love of buildings and architecture was super cool and how that plays in to Clairvoir Castle itself. Loved this book!
May 11, 2022
Prequel novella about the parents. Georgian Era. Arranged marriage. Background of the castle that plays a central role in the Clairvoir Castle series.
Sweet and short.
Sweet and short.
December 24, 2022
Just what a novella should be- deepened the story of side characters to give us perspective and more insight into them. And they were REAL CUTE
January 17, 2024
I adore this. I am going to listen to the rest of this series as quickly and as soon as possible. I need more of these characters
May 23, 2024
this was my first foray into audio books - the audio book was great but the story was not.
enjoyed it though.
enjoyed it though.
June 16, 2024
Fun novella to introduce the series!
July 26, 2024
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a duchess? Find out through the experiences of this duchess.
January 10, 2025
I m QUITE tired of GR's connection to my Kindle and the shelving of my finished books BEFORE I've marked them as such. (and rated and dated)
Goodreads, I do not want an automated system - not ever. KNOCK IT OFF.
Goodreads, I do not want an automated system - not ever. KNOCK IT OFF.
April 21, 2023
sweet
What a warm and lovely book. Gave my heart a squeeze. A quick read and I look forward to reading more!
What a warm and lovely book. Gave my heart a squeeze. A quick read and I look forward to reading more!
April 27, 2022
I have no idea why, but I really struggled to get into this one. I started enjoying it around the halfway mark. I liked that Cecilia was interested in architecture.
Tropes: marriage of convenience
Content: two or three non-detailed kisses (no more)
3 Stars
Tropes: marriage of convenience
Content: two or three non-detailed kisses (no more)
3 Stars
April 17, 2023
short but sweet
This is a fantastic prequel to the series, and Britton does not disappoint in bringing the duke’s and duchess’ story to life. Really enjoyed it.
This is a fantastic prequel to the series, and Britton does not disappoint in bringing the duke’s and duchess’ story to life. Really enjoyed it.
September 23, 2023
4.5 stars
November 10, 2024
A beautiful introduction to her new series. It’s so good!
April 12, 2023
A low angst novella
Two delightful protagonists make this prequel charming. The slow but steady growth of their relationship and their finding love and a common goal is delightful. This was my second reading of this story and it was just as good the second time around.
Two delightful protagonists make this prequel charming. The slow but steady growth of their relationship and their finding love and a common goal is delightful. This was my second reading of this story and it was just as good the second time around.
April 12, 2023
Lovely Prequel
I have loved this series, and this prequel is just as enjoyable. The relationship between the Duke and his Duchess is as beautiful in the beginning at it is throughout the stories. It's a quick, satisfying read.
I have loved this series, and this prequel is just as enjoyable. The relationship between the Duke and his Duchess is as beautiful in the beginning at it is throughout the stories. It's a quick, satisfying read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews