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Dukes & Desires #5
My Dear Duchess
Handsome, dashing Henry Wright, the Duke of Westerland, needed a wife in a desperately short period of time. If he could not find a wife, he would lose the legacy he so desperately desired.
Young, lovely but sheltered Miss Frederica Sayers needed a husband just as much as Henry Wright needed a wife, only she needed a husband to save her from the life of shame that almost certainly awaited her when she fled the callous cruelty of her family.
Marriage between the dashing lord and this reckless runaway was clearly the answer for both of them - until the duke discovered he had a duchess he could not tame and the duchess found that she would rather lose her until then spotless reputation than lose him to another beautiful woman who was everything she was not.
Young, lovely but sheltered Miss Frederica Sayers needed a husband just as much as Henry Wright needed a wife, only she needed a husband to save her from the life of shame that almost certainly awaited her when she fled the callous cruelty of her family.
Marriage between the dashing lord and this reckless runaway was clearly the answer for both of them - until the duke discovered he had a duchess he could not tame and the duchess found that she would rather lose her until then spotless reputation than lose him to another beautiful woman who was everything she was not.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1979
51 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Ann Fairfax
5 books29 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Gibbons (née Chesney) was a Scottish writer of romance and mystery novels. Marion wrote her historical romances under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, as well as several pseudonyms ( Helen Crampton, Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, and Charlotte Ward). Using the pseudonym M.C. Beaton she also wrote many popular mystery novels, most notably the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth mystery series. Both of these book series have been adapted for TV. Because of her great success with mystery novels her publishers both in the U.S. and abroad began using the M.C. Beaton pseudonym for all of her novels.
aka: Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Gibbons (née Chesney) was a Scottish writer of romance and mystery novels. Marion wrote her historical romances under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, as well as several pseudonyms ( Helen Crampton, Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, and Charlotte Ward). Using the pseudonym M.C. Beaton she also wrote many popular mystery novels, most notably the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth mystery series. Both of these book series have been adapted for TV. Because of her great success with mystery novels her publishers both in the U.S. and abroad began using the M.C. Beaton pseudonym for all of her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 17, 2019
Bleh.
Nothing much to like or enjoy here.
Villains, of course, have their purpose but here, not only do we have multiple of them (at least 6-7?) with their multi-pronged assaults and attempts but they are so overly-villainous and are able to spread their vileness almost on every page.
Some relief, at some point would have been welcome!
It'd be still okay if only the H wasn't such a slowpoke, such a dunderhead! First, he treats her like a younger sibling who's to be indulged now and then (let's not go into his short but nauseating mooning over the sister) and then he fumes and growls and disapproves of her but never loves. He treats her like a person with lesser intellect while it's he who lacks any of his own. He believes everyone but her. Rather he makes it difficult for her to confide in him with his patronizing and uncaring attitude.
The h and Chuffy provide some relief, some normalcy with their friendship.
But the h's easy, took-her-2-seconds forgiveness of her husband's innumerable follies is the worst moment in the book. He deserved being locked up in the famous Ice-House. At least. For few days.
Nothing much to like or enjoy here.
Villains, of course, have their purpose but here, not only do we have multiple of them (at least 6-7?) with their multi-pronged assaults and attempts but they are so overly-villainous and are able to spread their vileness almost on every page.
Some relief, at some point would have been welcome!
It'd be still okay if only the H wasn't such a slowpoke, such a dunderhead! First, he treats her like a younger sibling who's to be indulged now and then (let's not go into his short but nauseating mooning over the sister) and then he fumes and growls and disapproves of her but never loves. He treats her like a person with lesser intellect while it's he who lacks any of his own. He believes everyone but her. Rather he makes it difficult for her to confide in him with his patronizing and uncaring attitude.
The h and Chuffy provide some relief, some normalcy with their friendship.
But the h's easy, took-her-2-seconds forgiveness of her husband's innumerable follies is the worst moment in the book. He deserved being locked up in the famous Ice-House. At least. For few days.
September 17, 2019
Rating:
2 1/2 stars
Although the MC held promise, the entire novel was a continuous trope of The Big Misunderstanding, one after another. This made the h and H appear TSTL with the antagonists playing puppet master and mistress at every turn. Had the author not continued to use this trope as the main source of angst between the MCs this would have been a much better story. Hopefully, the next installment will prove superior. I fear that The Big Misunderstanding trope is one of my least favorites, hence my unflattering rating.
2 1/2 stars
Although the MC held promise, the entire novel was a continuous trope of The Big Misunderstanding, one after another. This made the h and H appear TSTL with the antagonists playing puppet master and mistress at every turn. Had the author not continued to use this trope as the main source of angst between the MCs this would have been a much better story. Hopefully, the next installment will prove superior. I fear that The Big Misunderstanding trope is one of my least favorites, hence my unflattering rating.
June 23, 2017
Marion Chesney wrote this in January of 1979, which makes this her first or second book. It is not terrible, per se, given that she was just starting out. But compared to some of her later gems, it bore all the characteristics of her earlier mistakes:
1) Hero annoyingly enamored of a malicious beauty. Luckily he was turned down when he was only Captain Wright, so he saw through that. But he had a tendency to soften towards Clarissa whenever she behaved or acted a bit better.
2) Heroine who underwent a tremendous makeover in the span of a few pages and started becoming a "beauty" (if this were possible, why would there need to be plastic surgery?). Also annoyingly infatuated with the hero for no good reason practically from the beginning.
3) Misunderstandings abound, even when both acknowledge their love of the other (secretly to themselves). They abound to such a degree as to cause tedium.
4) A close relative who's also a villain. Jack Ferrand wants to be the one to inherit and goes to drastic measures to enlist Clarissa (forcing her to strip down in the gardens so as to gather blackmail material on her) to do his bidding. Goes through multiple plans that fail without arousing massive suspicion on the parts of the main characters.
5) Other villanous henchmen. The butler and housekeeper, brother and sister, of the Duke's new country estate. They are rude, sneering, and downright insolent. It's hard to imagine why they weren't immediately sacked.
6) The malicious OW, who's a raving beauty. This beauty is somehow diminished later on by the glowing persona of the heroine. Also quite hard to fathom. Clarissa is actually Frederica's stepsister. She and her doting stepmother initially tried to keep Frederica from even being out. Later, they step aside for the majordomo of villainy.
7) The gem of a side character who's not attractive but the smartest and most likable character in the entire book. Marion Chesney excels in side characters. Chuffy is Frederica's plump Dandy of a friend who has multiple embarrassing public and dangerous episodes due to his constantly malfunctioning corsets.
There are many twists and turns in this book that keep the couple from discovering their secret passion from each other. These plot twists also keep the reader from discovering when and how they started imagining they were in love. I couldn't see it myself. Read for the plot twists, not for the character development.
1) Hero annoyingly enamored of a malicious beauty. Luckily he was turned down when he was only Captain Wright, so he saw through that. But he had a tendency to soften towards Clarissa whenever she behaved or acted a bit better.
2) Heroine who underwent a tremendous makeover in the span of a few pages and started becoming a "beauty" (if this were possible, why would there need to be plastic surgery?). Also annoyingly infatuated with the hero for no good reason practically from the beginning.
3) Misunderstandings abound, even when both acknowledge their love of the other (secretly to themselves). They abound to such a degree as to cause tedium.
4) A close relative who's also a villain. Jack Ferrand wants to be the one to inherit and goes to drastic measures to enlist Clarissa (forcing her to strip down in the gardens so as to gather blackmail material on her) to do his bidding. Goes through multiple plans that fail without arousing massive suspicion on the parts of the main characters.
5) Other villanous henchmen. The butler and housekeeper, brother and sister, of the Duke's new country estate. They are rude, sneering, and downright insolent. It's hard to imagine why they weren't immediately sacked.
6) The malicious OW, who's a raving beauty. This beauty is somehow diminished later on by the glowing persona of the heroine. Also quite hard to fathom. Clarissa is actually Frederica's stepsister. She and her doting stepmother initially tried to keep Frederica from even being out. Later, they step aside for the majordomo of villainy.
7) The gem of a side character who's not attractive but the smartest and most likable character in the entire book. Marion Chesney excels in side characters. Chuffy is Frederica's plump Dandy of a friend who has multiple embarrassing public and dangerous episodes due to his constantly malfunctioning corsets.
There are many twists and turns in this book that keep the couple from discovering their secret passion from each other. These plot twists also keep the reader from discovering when and how they started imagining they were in love. I couldn't see it myself. Read for the plot twists, not for the character development.
May 4, 2019
Frederica always takes second place to her spoilt sister, Clarissa. Captain Henry Wight – handsome and dashing thinks he is in love with Clarissa but she rejects him. When Henry unexpectedly inherits a fortune and a title and needs a wife and Frederica wants to run away from her family it seems as though they can each solve the other’s problems. A marriage of convenience follows but Frederica’s life and reputation is soon in danger.
This is an exciting historical romp with some lovable characters who are far from perfect. I liked Frederica herself and it was interesting to see how she develops and matures throughout the book. Henry also grows into his new role. The interactions with the servants – both nice and nasty – are well done.
If you want something light and entertaining to read which will take your mind off modern day problems then you could do worse than read this book.
This is an exciting historical romp with some lovable characters who are far from perfect. I liked Frederica herself and it was interesting to see how she develops and matures throughout the book. Henry also grows into his new role. The interactions with the servants – both nice and nasty – are well done.
If you want something light and entertaining to read which will take your mind off modern day problems then you could do worse than read this book.
May 25, 2015
So many misunderstandings and the hero seemed determined to believe the worst of the heroine if he could. When he claimed to be in love at the end it was far too little too late. Contrasted with the hero in Miss Fiona's Fancy--excellent book, the hero in this book just came across as a jerk. Admittedly, the Big Misunderstanding plot will never be a favorite of mine but this was just miserable. I should have DNFed. *shakes fist at book* Do you hear me? I should have DNFed you! *deletes from library with much prejudice*
February 18, 2020
Flawed, very early, MC Regency novel written in 1979 under the pseudonym Ann Fairfax
This is one of many very early MC novels which were written under a pseudonym, in this case Ann Fairfax. This book is from 1979. Back then, almost anyone could get published as an author of historical romance because it was a wide-open, new and exciting genre. As a result, MC's later skill at understanding what it means to write a satisfying romance plot is not on display here.
The hero and heroine only spend about 25% of the book on stage together, and 98% of that time they have aggravatingly redundant misunderstandings and immature arguments in which they spew vindictive insults at each other. In short, this is not a romantic romance.
This book is also not for the faint of heart. There are 7-8 different antagonists and villains in this novel and, since MC invariably utilizes omniscient point of view, the reader is forced to wade through an appalling amount of their disgusting thoughts as they plan and execute their evil plots against the heroine. Among these are five scenes of attempted rape (thankfully not fully executed). One of those is a horrify attempted gang rape, and the final attempted rape is actually presented as if it's a comedic act. In a way, that particular scene is even more shocking than the melodrama of the other attempted rapes, because it diminishes the significance of the vicious violence of an attempted rape.
To add insult on top of literary injury, far too much of the "Perils of Pauline" adventures of the hapless heroine are brought about because she is a TSTL (too stupid to live) protagonist who, unsympathetically, lands up to her neck in danger over and over again because of her easily gulled naivete and lack of basic common sense. I am not saying that she, or any woman, "deserves" violence from men. But it is a crucial reader expectation of a female-centric genre like romance that the heroine be strongly proactive in intelligently thwarting evil villains, particularly male villains, within the novel in order to vicariously empower the reader.
It is also an important expectation of the romance genre that the hero passionately care about the heroine. Unfortunately, for most of this book, the hero acts like a passive-aggressive wimp, nursing a bruised male ego rather than taking dynamic action on behalf of winning the heart of his Lady Fair.
I will admit however that, compared to many other earlier books by this author, instead of the hero always riding to the rescue of a helpless heroine, this heroine is allowed to help herself get out of at least a few of the endless awful situations that the author puts her in.
Typical of all MC novels, not just her earliest ones, the HEA ending is extremely abrupt, not occurring until the last few pages of the novel. Readers who are used to historical romances written in the last 10 years or so, which routinely include extensive epilogues demonstrating loving protagonists enjoying a well-motivated HEA, will find this approach hard to enjoy. And particularly so in a novel such as this one, where the reader has been forced to wallow in the melodramatic angst of the romantic protagonists' hating each other for 99% of the book. In such a story, readers deserve a reward for their Herculean labors of slogging through this book of a satisfying, extended HEA.
This is one of many very early MC novels which were written under a pseudonym, in this case Ann Fairfax. This book is from 1979. Back then, almost anyone could get published as an author of historical romance because it was a wide-open, new and exciting genre. As a result, MC's later skill at understanding what it means to write a satisfying romance plot is not on display here.
The hero and heroine only spend about 25% of the book on stage together, and 98% of that time they have aggravatingly redundant misunderstandings and immature arguments in which they spew vindictive insults at each other. In short, this is not a romantic romance.
This book is also not for the faint of heart. There are 7-8 different antagonists and villains in this novel and, since MC invariably utilizes omniscient point of view, the reader is forced to wade through an appalling amount of their disgusting thoughts as they plan and execute their evil plots against the heroine. Among these are five scenes of attempted rape (thankfully not fully executed). One of those is a horrify attempted gang rape, and the final attempted rape is actually presented as if it's a comedic act. In a way, that particular scene is even more shocking than the melodrama of the other attempted rapes, because it diminishes the significance of the vicious violence of an attempted rape.
To add insult on top of literary injury, far too much of the "Perils of Pauline" adventures of the hapless heroine are brought about because she is a TSTL (too stupid to live) protagonist who, unsympathetically, lands up to her neck in danger over and over again because of her easily gulled naivete and lack of basic common sense. I am not saying that she, or any woman, "deserves" violence from men. But it is a crucial reader expectation of a female-centric genre like romance that the heroine be strongly proactive in intelligently thwarting evil villains, particularly male villains, within the novel in order to vicariously empower the reader.
It is also an important expectation of the romance genre that the hero passionately care about the heroine. Unfortunately, for most of this book, the hero acts like a passive-aggressive wimp, nursing a bruised male ego rather than taking dynamic action on behalf of winning the heart of his Lady Fair.
I will admit however that, compared to many other earlier books by this author, instead of the hero always riding to the rescue of a helpless heroine, this heroine is allowed to help herself get out of at least a few of the endless awful situations that the author puts her in.
Typical of all MC novels, not just her earliest ones, the HEA ending is extremely abrupt, not occurring until the last few pages of the novel. Readers who are used to historical romances written in the last 10 years or so, which routinely include extensive epilogues demonstrating loving protagonists enjoying a well-motivated HEA, will find this approach hard to enjoy. And particularly so in a novel such as this one, where the reader has been forced to wallow in the melodramatic angst of the romantic protagonists' hating each other for 99% of the book. In such a story, readers deserve a reward for their Herculean labors of slogging through this book of a satisfying, extended HEA.
April 8, 2011
This is one of the few books/series I would read again. These stories of Marion Chesney started me on my adventure...reading Regency Romance/Novels/History! There is not a set of books that will teach you more about the basics about life in Regency England. There are six series with six books each. I love them all. It must be a "past life" thing:)
Read
June 6, 2018DNF and refuse to continue this awful book. No one is a hero who decides to punish his ersatz bride by sexually assaulting her. I have disliked Chesney/Beaton before for sexism and misogyny but this is beyond dislike. No stars.
December 27, 2023
The villains fooled the hero and heroine a bit too many times so that towards the end I finally skipped a chapter to get on with the story. If you have the patience with this it was still quite entertaining, melodramatic. Probably 2.5 stars. The author has many others that are better.
December 1, 2024
Did Not Enjoy
I've enjoyed books written by this author in the past but, I did not enjoy this one. This book's heroine was 17 and the hero was an arrogant man who described his wife as property. The plot was thin and monotonous, was full of misunderstandings and stupid actions. Not one of this author's best books.
I've enjoyed books written by this author in the past but, I did not enjoy this one. This book's heroine was 17 and the hero was an arrogant man who described his wife as property. The plot was thin and monotonous, was full of misunderstandings and stupid actions. Not one of this author's best books.
July 25, 2020
Fredrica is so in love with her husband, and so unable to communicate the truth of her feelings with him. It is so such a typical plot devise, lack of truth and communication causing no end of pain and heartache between lovers. This fluffy romance just brings this cautionary fact home.
October 17, 2020
Not convinced that the main characters liked each other let alone had a basis for "romance" - spent no time together. The few scenes of (minimal) physical romance except maybe the last were in anger or coercion and if gone further, would be marital rape.
January 20, 2025
Dizzy from the personality Rollercoaster. The characters are angry with each other, vindictive, giddy in love all in the same sentence and with no real reason to go from one to the other. Ugh. Glad it was a short read.
July 13, 2020
Dated stereotypical drivel but decently entertaining.
Read
January 19, 2024Idk. I like the premise and the characters but not the plot. It was nefarious in a moustache twirly way and it depended very heavily on lack of communication, misunderstanding, and trusting youth.
December 25, 2018
It was OK, it was enjoyable enough, I did like the characters. I felt then plot line dragged a bit and there was only real exciting romantic moment in the whole dang book, so that was super disappointing. I wish I could give half stars because it is really only a 2.5 book.
April 16, 2023
The heroine Frederick Sayres is a silly dimwit who marries the Duke of Westmoreland. There's a wicked stepmother and step sister and a distant evil relative. I enjoyed Chuffy, friend of the pair. So many times I said "you dumb nitwit" when reading of the immature Duchess antics.
August 16, 2017
Really delightful story. Love Marion Chesney (Ann Fairfax). Little Frederica was a pure delight.
December 1, 2017
I learned that communication is the key in this book.
December 17, 2019
Frederica was a smart girl but than she just lost it....if,fan how many time she almost got killed....and he sister.....what a peach...
December 26, 2023
The plot was just not enjoyable for me in this one.
June 25, 2025
MOC, misunderstandings galore, moustache-twirling villain(s), evil stepsister/mother, everyone is TSTL, just... not her best.
February 25, 2025
3 STARS - A fun little Downton Abbey-esk Regency Era Rom-Com.
RECOMMENDATION: If you like a fun period romance this is for you!
RECOMMENDATION: If you like a fun period romance this is for you!
December 30, 2014
The plot from Friday's Child which I read and enjoyed recently but with a lot of misunderstandings.
April 14, 2014
one of Fairfax's better ones. Liked how Frederica matures and grows a spine. Adored Chuffy and how he takes things into his own hands. Though it was slightly painful to see how much Clarissa got away with, it was interesting to see how she got entrapped in someone else's plot
August 22, 2016
A Regency Era romance.
When Captain Henry Wright returns from the Peninsular Wars, he sets out to court Clarissa Sayers.
After cruelly rejecting him, Henry is told that he has inherited a Dukedom.
The story has elements from "Cinderella."
When Captain Henry Wright returns from the Peninsular Wars, he sets out to court Clarissa Sayers.
After cruelly rejecting him, Henry is told that he has inherited a Dukedom.
The story has elements from "Cinderella."
December 17, 2016
Marion Chesney (Poor Relations series) under any alias (M.C. Beaton: Agatha and Hamish series) invests her endearing people as unique individuals within any stereotypes. She's a star, putting romance in mystery and vice versa.
January 18, 2020
Fun Read
The only reason this got a four not a gift star rating is I feel we were tortured too long while the bad guys prevailed until almost the end. I liked the varied characters very much. A great book!
The only reason this got a four not a gift star rating is I feel we were tortured too long while the bad guys prevailed until almost the end. I liked the varied characters very much. A great book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews