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The Sons of the Aristocracy #2
The Widowed Countess
When twin brothers love the same woman, is two times the romance worth double the trouble? Especially when one is a ghost?
The sudden death of David Fitzwilliam, Earl of Norwick, is a crushing blow to his countess, Clarinda. Their four-year union was a celebrated love match. With her year of mourning just beginning, Clarinda takes comfort in knowing she carries a child. She could give birth to the next earl, but it’s David’s identical twin brother Daniel who will assume the duties of the earldom until an heir is old enough.
Too bad Clarinda’s last encounter with the despicable man went so poorly. He claimed to have been the Fitzwilliam that courted her and asked for her hand in marriage, implying that Clarinda had accepted David’s suit only to become a countess. But Clarinda is quite certain it was David who captured her heart all those years ago. Now that she’ll have to live in the same house as Daniel, though, she wonders how she’ll manage. “He despises me,” she tells her best friend and confidante Adele Grandby, Countess of Torrington, recounting how she slapped her brother-in-law so hard she thought she broke her arm.
Adele has a secret she cannot yet share with the widow. Her husband, Grandby, is hell-bent on making sure one of his goddaughters is properly wed. Dorothea, the dowager countess, seems to have plans for her daughter-in-law and the spare heir when she isn’t spending quality time with a younger viscount. And the ghost of David has become a nightly visitor to Clarinda’s bedchamber, hinting that she’s carrying twins and making comments that would suggest he’s suddenly rather fond of his brother – and inferring that Clarinda should be, too.
Clarinda has no idea David’s ghost has been visiting Daniel, acting in part as a matchmaker and soothsayer while insisting his death was not, in fact, an accident. “I was shot,” David claims, encouraging Daniel to do a bit of investigating while considering his brother’s blessing in regard to Clarinda.
Daniel needs no encouragement when it comes to Clarinda – he’s loved the woman since her come-out and will gladly take her as his wife when she’s out of mourning. If she’ll have him. He still remembers how hard she slapped him all those years ago.
Through the funeral, the reading of the will, and David’s burial, these would-be lovers will learn more about David’s past and determine the fishy circumstances that led to his death. But will they discover if their own futures are meant to be shared with one another? Twins are double the fun in "The Widowed Countess".
The sudden death of David Fitzwilliam, Earl of Norwick, is a crushing blow to his countess, Clarinda. Their four-year union was a celebrated love match. With her year of mourning just beginning, Clarinda takes comfort in knowing she carries a child. She could give birth to the next earl, but it’s David’s identical twin brother Daniel who will assume the duties of the earldom until an heir is old enough.
Too bad Clarinda’s last encounter with the despicable man went so poorly. He claimed to have been the Fitzwilliam that courted her and asked for her hand in marriage, implying that Clarinda had accepted David’s suit only to become a countess. But Clarinda is quite certain it was David who captured her heart all those years ago. Now that she’ll have to live in the same house as Daniel, though, she wonders how she’ll manage. “He despises me,” she tells her best friend and confidante Adele Grandby, Countess of Torrington, recounting how she slapped her brother-in-law so hard she thought she broke her arm.
Adele has a secret she cannot yet share with the widow. Her husband, Grandby, is hell-bent on making sure one of his goddaughters is properly wed. Dorothea, the dowager countess, seems to have plans for her daughter-in-law and the spare heir when she isn’t spending quality time with a younger viscount. And the ghost of David has become a nightly visitor to Clarinda’s bedchamber, hinting that she’s carrying twins and making comments that would suggest he’s suddenly rather fond of his brother – and inferring that Clarinda should be, too.
Clarinda has no idea David’s ghost has been visiting Daniel, acting in part as a matchmaker and soothsayer while insisting his death was not, in fact, an accident. “I was shot,” David claims, encouraging Daniel to do a bit of investigating while considering his brother’s blessing in regard to Clarinda.
Daniel needs no encouragement when it comes to Clarinda – he’s loved the woman since her come-out and will gladly take her as his wife when she’s out of mourning. If she’ll have him. He still remembers how hard she slapped him all those years ago.
Through the funeral, the reading of the will, and David’s burial, these would-be lovers will learn more about David’s past and determine the fishy circumstances that led to his death. But will they discover if their own futures are meant to be shared with one another? Twins are double the fun in "The Widowed Countess".
296 pages, ebook
First published July 8, 2013
14 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Linda Rae Sande
126 books427 followersA self-described nerd and lover of science, Linda Rae spent many years as a published technical writer specializing in 3D graphics workstations, software and 3D animation (her movie credits include SHREK and SHREK 2). An interest in genealogy led to years of research on the Regency era and a desire to write fiction based in that time.
A fan of action-adventure movies, she can frequently be found at the local cinema. Although she no longer has any fish, she follows the San Jose Sharks. She makes her home in Cody, Wyoming. More information about her books can be found at www.lindaraesande.com.
A fan of action-adventure movies, she can frequently be found at the local cinema. Although she no longer has any fish, she follows the San Jose Sharks. She makes her home in Cody, Wyoming. More information about her books can be found at www.lindaraesande.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 22, 2014
3.5/5.0
This quirky historical romance isn’t the usual run-of-the-mill story!
Read full review in the 2014 April issue of InD’tale Magazine.
This quirky historical romance isn’t the usual run-of-the-mill story!
Read full review in the 2014 April issue of InD’tale Magazine.
March 16, 2015
I did not like it.
Lot of things didnot make sense like when clare refused daniel's proposal time and again and finally just like tht she launches her self into his arms saying yes!
There are lot of otherthings... Small ones tht didnt sit right with me..
Lot of things didnot make sense like when clare refused daniel's proposal time and again and finally just like tht she launches her self into his arms saying yes!
There are lot of otherthings... Small ones tht didnt sit right with me..
September 13, 2020
I purchased this as part of a 3 story bundle the author offered called THE SONS OF THE ARISTOCRACY: Boxed Set.
As soon as I began reading, and realized how the h was falling for her husbands twin so quickly, I was turned off. If the author would have them coming together a year down the road, it would have made the story more plausible for me.
I was so disappointed because when I read THE DREAM OF A DUCHESS, prior to this bundle, my heart ached for Daniel. He was so in love with the h, but his twin had been betrothed for years to her. David, had Daniel appear at functions pretending to be him. The h fell in love with Daniel, but didn't realize the switch. Oh, I wanted Daniel to get a better deal than his brother's left overs.
I agree 100% with reviewer DMD because in the above mentioned story, David has a daughter, no mention of this now. Talk about confusing. This story was written prior to The Dream of a Duchess. The author should take more time with relationships when writing stories that are tied together. Of course, what are the odds I would read these back to back.
I skipped over the lovemaking because I didn't feel they were a couple. Maybe if the author didn't include a very intimate scene with David and the h prior to his death, I wouldn't have felt a connection to them. He wasn't warm and fussy in the previous mentioned story.
There is a touch of the paranormal in this as David appears as a Ghost. The only part I liked was David explained what sex the h would have with his children and his brother's. (ljb)
As soon as I began reading, and realized how the h was falling for her husbands twin so quickly, I was turned off. If the author would have them coming together a year down the road, it would have made the story more plausible for me.
I was so disappointed because when I read THE DREAM OF A DUCHESS, prior to this bundle, my heart ached for Daniel. He was so in love with the h, but his twin had been betrothed for years to her. David, had Daniel appear at functions pretending to be him. The h fell in love with Daniel, but didn't realize the switch. Oh, I wanted Daniel to get a better deal than his brother's left overs.
I agree 100% with reviewer DMD because in the above mentioned story, David has a daughter, no mention of this now. Talk about confusing. This story was written prior to The Dream of a Duchess. The author should take more time with relationships when writing stories that are tied together. Of course, what are the odds I would read these back to back.
I skipped over the lovemaking because I didn't feel they were a couple. Maybe if the author didn't include a very intimate scene with David and the h prior to his death, I wouldn't have felt a connection to them. He wasn't warm and fussy in the previous mentioned story.
There is a touch of the paranormal in this as David appears as a Ghost. The only part I liked was David explained what sex the h would have with his children and his brother's. (ljb)
November 19, 2016
I had to get a handle on who was who, because David had taken Clare from Daniel, but that was quite confusing at the beginning.
Enjoyable read with the twin brothers both loving the same woman. Daniel still loves his dead brother, but only towards the end feels more anger about what he took from him, namely Clare.
Clare herself isn't as well described as she could be, but grieves for her husband and slowly comes to realize the twin that's alive is who she's actually meant to be with.
My favourite character is Grandby, godfather extraordinaire, and sweetest character ever. I laughed out loud when he bought his wife 3 necklaces at the jewellers after he realized she was pregnant while overhearing some men discussing pregnancies at the club.
Nice story, some great characters, fun book.
Enjoyable read with the twin brothers both loving the same woman. Daniel still loves his dead brother, but only towards the end feels more anger about what he took from him, namely Clare.
Clare herself isn't as well described as she could be, but grieves for her husband and slowly comes to realize the twin that's alive is who she's actually meant to be with.
My favourite character is Grandby, godfather extraordinaire, and sweetest character ever. I laughed out loud when he bought his wife 3 necklaces at the jewellers after he realized she was pregnant while overhearing some men discussing pregnancies at the club.
Nice story, some great characters, fun book.
May 31, 2020
Now this is the kind of story that makes it worthwhile reading or listening to!
I think I had a smile on my face just about the whole book through.
The three main characters are really fabulous. They each come across quite clearly with their own personalities and definitely find their ways into one's heart.
Another character who I just have to mention is the mother-in-law, Clarissa. She really is quite outspoken and rather randy in nature. One can't help having a good chuckle at some of her delightful antics.
I am definitely recommending this because it is very well written, a wonderful story, has great characters and the narration is a pleasure to listen to.
I listened to a complimentary copy of the audiobook and my voluntary review above is unbiased.
I think I had a smile on my face just about the whole book through.
The three main characters are really fabulous. They each come across quite clearly with their own personalities and definitely find their ways into one's heart.
Another character who I just have to mention is the mother-in-law, Clarissa. She really is quite outspoken and rather randy in nature. One can't help having a good chuckle at some of her delightful antics.
I am definitely recommending this because it is very well written, a wonderful story, has great characters and the narration is a pleasure to listen to.
I listened to a complimentary copy of the audiobook and my voluntary review above is unbiased.
June 27, 2025
I loved this book.
Clarinda is happily married to David, the Earl of Norwick, happy as she's expecting,and has got further with this pregnancy than her previous two.
When tragedy happens and David is killed Clarinda is devastated, her mother in law and her husband's twin brother Daniel join her at the family home. But David keeps appearing and revealing things in the future and this relaxed her a little, although his will is outrageous.
I loved that we heard finally how Granby/Torrington ended up married later in life, still meddling in his god daughters, and others lives, what a wonderful man. In many ways he holds the whole Aristocracy Series together.
I don't think I've ever read a book where I cried from start to finish even when laughing at certain passages.
In my opinion a must read, and the best of this author's books I've read.
On second reading some of my opinions have changed a little, and though Clarinda appears happy with her ending I wish David had stayed alive, they loved each other and her moving on isn't right.
Clarinda is happily married to David, the Earl of Norwick, happy as she's expecting,and has got further with this pregnancy than her previous two.
When tragedy happens and David is killed Clarinda is devastated, her mother in law and her husband's twin brother Daniel join her at the family home. But David keeps appearing and revealing things in the future and this relaxed her a little, although his will is outrageous.
I loved that we heard finally how Granby/Torrington ended up married later in life, still meddling in his god daughters, and others lives, what a wonderful man. In many ways he holds the whole Aristocracy Series together.
I don't think I've ever read a book where I cried from start to finish even when laughing at certain passages.
In my opinion a must read, and the best of this author's books I've read.
On second reading some of my opinions have changed a little, and though Clarinda appears happy with her ending I wish David had stayed alive, they loved each other and her moving on isn't right.
April 27, 2016
Rather boring the whole way through. Only perservered and finished as waiting for an appointment and nothing else to do.
Lame characters, flat writing, hardly any real romantic feelings between any of the various supporting characters
Lame characters, flat writing, hardly any real romantic feelings between any of the various supporting characters
June 12, 2014
3 1/2 Stars
Read the review at InD'tale Magazine
http://indtale.com/reviews/historical...
March 30, 2020
Daniel and Clarinda
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews