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Bad Heir Day Tales #2
The Mysterious Marquess
The Prodigal Peer…
Lucien, Marquess of Lynnfield, disappeared from the family seat nearly a decade ago, and now he’s back, ready to take his inheritance in hand. Questions swirl–Where was he? Why return now? What sort of man has he become?–and Lucien can’t offer much in the way of explanations. All he knows is, the dearest companion of his youth, Lady Penelope Richard, is being courted by a handsome cad, and Lucien cannot allow her ladyship to waste her future on a scoundrel.
Or the Return of the Rogue?
Penelope hasn’t seen Lucien for years, but she’s been too angry with him for abandoning her to forget him. He broke her heart when he left the first time, and she is quite, entirely, completely over him–almost–until old passion stir backs to life, hotter and more dangerous than ever. If Lucien and Penelope are to share their hearts as well as searing kisses, they will have to fight their own worst fears and outwit an enemy who will do anything to keep them apart.
Lucien, Marquess of Lynnfield, disappeared from the family seat nearly a decade ago, and now he’s back, ready to take his inheritance in hand. Questions swirl–Where was he? Why return now? What sort of man has he become?–and Lucien can’t offer much in the way of explanations. All he knows is, the dearest companion of his youth, Lady Penelope Richard, is being courted by a handsome cad, and Lucien cannot allow her ladyship to waste her future on a scoundrel.
Or the Return of the Rogue?
Penelope hasn’t seen Lucien for years, but she’s been too angry with him for abandoning her to forget him. He broke her heart when he left the first time, and she is quite, entirely, completely over him–almost–until old passion stir backs to life, hotter and more dangerous than ever. If Lucien and Penelope are to share their hearts as well as searing kisses, they will have to fight their own worst fears and outwit an enemy who will do anything to keep them apart.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2024
282 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
187 books2,927 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 7, 2024
Classic Grave Burrowes. Loved it
May 24, 2025
3.5/5. MMC and FMC were best friends and betrothed since childhood. Before their seemingly inevitable marriage, Lucien disappears. After adventuring around continental Europe for 10 years, he returns back to England upon being informed that Lady Penelope might be desiring to marry and that their existing betrothal is a barrier to her plans. He returns to his duties as the Marquess of Lynnfield but also to finally claim his bride.
I love GB's gentle and eloquent writing style but although well-written, there are many holes in this story.
I love GB's gentle and eloquent writing style but although well-written, there are many holes in this story.
August 28, 2024
I am a huge fan of Burrowes. I love Lucien as a character but feel that he isn’t really fleshed out. There is almost no discussion of what he did when he was away and very little about why he left. This was not bad but rather less than satisfying. Also, Burrowes use of the word ‘one’, while charming on occasion becomes flat and emotionally distancing when overused.
The plot is entertaining but wrapped up a bit too quickly for me. It felt rushed and this lessened the impact for me.
The plot is entertaining but wrapped up a bit too quickly for me. It felt rushed and this lessened the impact for me.
August 29, 2024
Superior!!
I love how Lucien & Pen LOVED so much all through the book… working together all the way!! I fell in love with both of them!
I love how Lucien & Pen LOVED so much all through the book… working together all the way!! I fell in love with both of them!
dnf
June 4, 2025DNF: failed to grab my attention
March 8, 2025
It turned out the Butler of the previous volume is a Marquess. And somehow changed his personality. But who cares, the romance was not bad, especially since the couple put all misunderstandings of the past behind them quickly and one could concentrate on thwarting the machinations of the antagonist. That was quite enjoyable. A couple of continuity problems here as well.
August 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this quiet reunion of old friends and potential to-be-weds. I say quiet, as in no shouting matches, no temper tantrums, no throwing of objects. After almost ten years Lucien and Penelope meet again, compare lives, and gently fall back into friendship. Their hodgepodge family is remarkable in how they take care of one another. And of course there is a villain to be dealt with. I love the easy back and forth of Lucien's and Pen's conversations and teasing. These are people you would love to be around.
August 23, 2024
Lucien left home years ago to avoid being forced into marriage with his best friend, Penelope. They agreed that they were too young, so he removed himself from the picture. But there were lots of other things happening behind the scenes that neither of them knew. Fast forward almost nine years, and it is time for Lucien to come home and face the people and situations he left behind. He also has a few things he needs to tell Penelope before she marries another man.
I loved watching these two rekindle their friendship and more. I am not sure that they realize how fully they were bound together by the important things of life until Lucien returned. They have such wonderful conversations about everything, and they make such a terrific couple. Burrowes also describes much about farming of the day, and horses always have a significant part to play in the story. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.
I loved watching these two rekindle their friendship and more. I am not sure that they realize how fully they were bound together by the important things of life until Lucien returned. They have such wonderful conversations about everything, and they make such a terrific couple. Burrowes also describes much about farming of the day, and horses always have a significant part to play in the story. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.
November 3, 2025
H leaves the h behind for what seemed a weak reason. He's back just in time to come to her rescue. It's a nice story, with a nice couple and I enjoyed it as I do all books by this author.
August 25, 2024
Lucien, Marquess of Lynnfield, was betrothed to his best friend, Lady Penelope, while both were still minors. When he mysteriously disappeared from the Lynnfield estate some years later, seemingly without any notice to Lady Penelope, she was left with a broken heart. When Lynnfield’s neighbor, Sir Dashiel Ingraham, expresses interest in winning Lady Penelope’s hand, she charges Leopold St. Didier with tracking down the missing Marquess to break the betrothal. When Lucien finally returns to the family seat, sparks fly between him and Penelope once again. But the neighbor, who Lucien knows to be a traitor and scoundrel, will do anything, legally or not, to get his hands on Lady Penelope’s fortune. Working together with St. Didier, and the elderly population who lives at Lynnfield, Lucien and Penelope will have to outmaneuver Sir Dashiel to earn their HEA. As always in Ms. Burrowes books, the reader reaches a point where it seems all hope is lost, that there is no possible way that these two lovers will end up together as the cards are stacked against them. And yet, her books always end with the loveliest of futures laid out for the protagonists. Along the way, the reader gets to enjoy the most beautiful prose, fascinating auxiliary characters and wonderful descriptions of the environment that surrounds these characters. “The Bad Heir Day Tales” is a wonderful series which I highly recommend, however, each book can certainly be enjoyed as a standalone. This book was provided by the author without any requirement for a review, positive or otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own.
June 2, 2025
For the first couple of chapters of this book I wasn't sure if he able to finish it, but sometime in end of chapter two or start of chapter three this book grabbed me, and I couldn't put it down. Read it all in one sitting.
We first meet Lucien Marquess of Lynnfield as Lucian Pritchard the Duke of Huntleigh's major some in The Dreadful Duke. Now Lucien has accepted his role in society and she to some subtle manipulate by St Didier has gone home to resolve the issue with his childhood betrothed, apparently the she wants to be released to marry a neighbour.But Lucien has never stopped living her, when he left eight years ago he begged her in a letter to go with him, but she never showed.
Lady Penelope daughter to an Earl was betrothed to Lucian when they were both minors, and when her brother was killed in battle this allowed her to remain with Lucien's family. Distraught when he disappeared with no word shes taken over running his main estate, and despite the manoeuvring of the dowager marshioness has remained single, even resisting the approach of their neighbouring baronet.
Seeing Lucien home again all her teenage feelings flood back.
But the baronet is determined to marry Penelope for her inheritance, and is not above blackmailing her and the family. But Lucian with St Didiers help knows of the baronet past, and they work together to remove him from their orbit.
This book built and built, the lead characters grow on you mainly through their utter decency, it was lovely to see the Duke and Duchess of Moreland pop up, and Westhaven helping to resolve the final denouement.
Definitely a winner.
We first meet Lucien Marquess of Lynnfield as Lucian Pritchard the Duke of Huntleigh's major some in The Dreadful Duke. Now Lucien has accepted his role in society and she to some subtle manipulate by St Didier has gone home to resolve the issue with his childhood betrothed, apparently the she wants to be released to marry a neighbour.But Lucien has never stopped living her, when he left eight years ago he begged her in a letter to go with him, but she never showed.
Lady Penelope daughter to an Earl was betrothed to Lucian when they were both minors, and when her brother was killed in battle this allowed her to remain with Lucien's family. Distraught when he disappeared with no word shes taken over running his main estate, and despite the manoeuvring of the dowager marshioness has remained single, even resisting the approach of their neighbouring baronet.
Seeing Lucien home again all her teenage feelings flood back.
But the baronet is determined to marry Penelope for her inheritance, and is not above blackmailing her and the family. But Lucian with St Didiers help knows of the baronet past, and they work together to remove him from their orbit.
This book built and built, the lead characters grow on you mainly through their utter decency, it was lovely to see the Duke and Duchess of Moreland pop up, and Westhaven helping to resolve the final denouement.
Definitely a winner.
May 26, 2025
Ah, the dukes’ perfect man servant is a runaway heir too. Rubs hands - this should be fun.
~~~
Right - Penelope and Lucien were lovely together but it gets a three from me.
3 stars
~~~
Right - Penelope and Lucien were lovely together but it gets a three from me.
3 stars
September 7, 2024
Delightfully fresh portrayal of Regency characters and world
I loved everything about this story and how it was written. The principal characters are nuanced, varied, and interesting. Their natures are revealed layer by layer. Their first appearance reveals a little about them, which is reinforced by following scenes. But then more is revealed through the action, conversations, and thoughts of Lord Julian and Lady Penelope, changing our understanding of the characters, sometimes in unexpected ways. Much of the story is told through their POVs, interwoven with their conversations and actions. They are intelligent, realistic, responsible, caring, and multifaceted. Their understated humor and insight continue in the narrator's sections, making the book a beautifully interwoven whole.
I loved everything about this story and how it was written. The principal characters are nuanced, varied, and interesting. Their natures are revealed layer by layer. Their first appearance reveals a little about them, which is reinforced by following scenes. But then more is revealed through the action, conversations, and thoughts of Lord Julian and Lady Penelope, changing our understanding of the characters, sometimes in unexpected ways. Much of the story is told through their POVs, interwoven with their conversations and actions. They are intelligent, realistic, responsible, caring, and multifaceted. Their understated humor and insight continue in the narrator's sections, making the book a beautifully interwoven whole.
August 14, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this book. It was a very enjoyable read. I loved getting to know Pritchard's story, as he was such a fun (and mysterious) character in the first book in the series. As always, Grace Burrowes tells a wonderful love story, with a dash of spice, a side of mystery, and a smidge of villainy mixed in. St. Didier also appears not infrequently in this book, and I look forward to him hopefully being one of the bad heirs in the future.
I enjoy everything that Grace writes, and this was another great addition to her extensive library of titles. If you've read the first book, this one won't disappoint. If you haven't read either book, I suggest giving this series a try -- you will not be sorry.
I enjoy everything that Grace writes, and this was another great addition to her extensive library of titles. If you've read the first book, this one won't disappoint. If you haven't read either book, I suggest giving this series a try -- you will not be sorry.
August 26, 2024
4.5 (nit picking because the ending wasn’t quite up to the rest of the story).
If there aren’t already PhDs on the intersectionality of romance novels and feminism then there should be. There’s been a notable move away from the somewhat rapey traditional romance (usually explained by the fact that the couple are made for each other but still very suspect on re reading) to a more respectful consent. Regency romance particularly suffers because in reality the marriage mart was essentially aristocratic men in their 30s marrying teenagers and from our doyenne Heyer onwards this has generally been a trope.
This is a pleasure to read due to the ages of the protagonists and their sparkling romance in which we also do not get the ‘male character is so clever he sorts everything out’ trope.
If there aren’t already PhDs on the intersectionality of romance novels and feminism then there should be. There’s been a notable move away from the somewhat rapey traditional romance (usually explained by the fact that the couple are made for each other but still very suspect on re reading) to a more respectful consent. Regency romance particularly suffers because in reality the marriage mart was essentially aristocratic men in their 30s marrying teenagers and from our doyenne Heyer onwards this has generally been a trope.
This is a pleasure to read due to the ages of the protagonists and their sparkling romance in which we also do not get the ‘male character is so clever he sorts everything out’ trope.
December 26, 2024
4 1/2 stars
Lucian has been gone for years from Lynnwood and during those years travelled throughout war-ravaged France and Italy. He had originally asked Penelope, his best friend and betrothed to go with him but she did not show up when it was time to leave.
If you read the first book you know what Lucian has been doing all these years but do not know where Penelope fits in. St Dider approaches him because Penelope has asked that Lucian sign some papers to release him from the betrothal. He jumps at the chance to go home with a real reason behind it.
The rest of the story has a second chance romance, a family made of many you are loved if not blood-related, and a villain who needs to be vanquished.
I really enjoyed the book.
Lucian has been gone for years from Lynnwood and during those years travelled throughout war-ravaged France and Italy. He had originally asked Penelope, his best friend and betrothed to go with him but she did not show up when it was time to leave.
If you read the first book you know what Lucian has been doing all these years but do not know where Penelope fits in. St Dider approaches him because Penelope has asked that Lucian sign some papers to release him from the betrothal. He jumps at the chance to go home with a real reason behind it.
The rest of the story has a second chance romance, a family made of many you are loved if not blood-related, and a villain who needs to be vanquished.
I really enjoyed the book.
September 14, 2024
I delight in a second chance romance. It is one of my favorite tropes. After meeting Lucien in the first book, I am glad to have gotten his story. Even after 10 years this couple continued their journey
of happily ever after. Penelope is divine, smart, witty, and knows what she wants and how to get it. Lucien is brave, cunning, and gorgeous. His travels have been hard at time. While Pen is angry at Lucien, she still loves him and he loves her. The writing is superb. Their banter sweet and fun. There is delightful steamy scenes and one evil villain. All of the secondary characters add so much to the story. I am looking forward to the next story.
of happily ever after. Penelope is divine, smart, witty, and knows what she wants and how to get it. Lucien is brave, cunning, and gorgeous. His travels have been hard at time. While Pen is angry at Lucien, she still loves him and he loves her. The writing is superb. Their banter sweet and fun. There is delightful steamy scenes and one evil villain. All of the secondary characters add so much to the story. I am looking forward to the next story.
March 23, 2025
Excellent tale and telling of it
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has been some time since I’ve really enjoyed a Burrowes book, as lately they’ve seemed more on the tedious side. But this one was back to the earlier style of her writing. I loved that the two main characters were so open and honest with each other. It’s quite different from many books where their reluctance to share information is the crux of the story. So many aspects of this tale were thoroughly satisfying.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has been some time since I’ve really enjoyed a Burrowes book, as lately they’ve seemed more on the tedious side. But this one was back to the earlier style of her writing. I loved that the two main characters were so open and honest with each other. It’s quite different from many books where their reluctance to share information is the crux of the story. So many aspects of this tale were thoroughly satisfying.
September 17, 2025
This one seemed very slow-paced and the characters were almost too naval-gazing for their own good?
Seemed like they spent too much time in a dissection/picking apart of their previous relationship and/or interactions and kinda mooning over that, and it felt long even though it's a relatively short book- not a novella, but shorter than most full length novels. I kept hoping for something, anything, to happen and them to just go ahead and get together already lol.
And I'm not seeing a lot of other reviews about this, so maybe it was just me?
Seemed like they spent too much time in a dissection/picking apart of their previous relationship and/or interactions and kinda mooning over that, and it felt long even though it's a relatively short book- not a novella, but shorter than most full length novels. I kept hoping for something, anything, to happen and them to just go ahead and get together already lol.
And I'm not seeing a lot of other reviews about this, so maybe it was just me?
September 15, 2024
Burrowes is a dependable author for me, writing historical novels, both romance and murder mysteries.
Burrowes sets this series firmly in Napoleonic England, with a bucolic setting and lots of little historical details that flesh the story out well. I love how Burrowes, as a horsewoman herself, always brings a horse or two into the action too. Readers looking for a heartwarming historical romance will be pleased to pick up Burrowes’ THE MYSTERIOUS MARQUESS.
See my full review at Fresh Fiction
https://freshfiction.com/review.php?i...
Burrowes sets this series firmly in Napoleonic England, with a bucolic setting and lots of little historical details that flesh the story out well. I love how Burrowes, as a horsewoman herself, always brings a horse or two into the action too. Readers looking for a heartwarming historical romance will be pleased to pick up Burrowes’ THE MYSTERIOUS MARQUESS.
See my full review at Fresh Fiction
https://freshfiction.com/review.php?i...
August 23, 2024
A truly lovely addition to Burrowes' canon. Each time I read a book in one of her series, that series becomes my favourite, and this is no exception. I loved each and every character (except the villain, Dashiel, who was unremittingly horrible) and it was lovely to see St. Didier again and to have Lucien find his HEA with the aptly named Penelope.
August 25, 2024
This series has me in alts!
I can not recommend this book highly enough! The story is webbed together so majestically. The characters become family and are written so well its like you are there watching it happen. There is nothing that dissatisfied in book one or two! Waiting on book three now!
I can not recommend this book highly enough! The story is webbed together so majestically. The characters become family and are written so well its like you are there watching it happen. There is nothing that dissatisfied in book one or two! Waiting on book three now!
August 31, 2024
Wonderful
I loved this book. I have loved Grace Burrowes books since I read the first one years ago. I love how she adds beloved characters from earlier books, even if they only have cameo roles. I am hoping that she has written St Didier's book for our pleasure. I'm sure it will be as good as this one.
I loved this book. I have loved Grace Burrowes books since I read the first one years ago. I love how she adds beloved characters from earlier books, even if they only have cameo roles. I am hoping that she has written St Didier's book for our pleasure. I'm sure it will be as good as this one.
November 4, 2024
I did enjoy this book!
Though the theme of a prodigal son returning home to the abandoned love of his life shares themes with the Lord Julian mysteries, the heroes are vastly different. Burrowed excels in depicting a large cast of minot characters in deft strokes, and her writing is excellent.
Though the theme of a prodigal son returning home to the abandoned love of his life shares themes with the Lord Julian mysteries, the heroes are vastly different. Burrowed excels in depicting a large cast of minot characters in deft strokes, and her writing is excellent.
January 10, 2025
Lucian has been gone from home for a long time. He finds out Penelope wants to end her engagement with him, so she can marry Sir Dashiell. Lucian knows about Dashiell's reputation during the war and decides to come home.It takes a while to sort everything out, there are also a whole menagerie of relatives to sort out. I really enjoyed it. I look forward to the next book in the series.
January 19, 2025
Lucien Pritchard, The Marquess of Lynnfield, has finally come home to settle matters between him and Lady Penelope Richard. Lucien has played the role of majordomo for the last ten years. Lady Penelope kept busy by running Lynnfield and being pursued by Sir Dashiel Ingraham. What does Lucien plan to do, now, that he's home? Find out in The Mysterious Marquess.
March 16, 2025
It seems Grace Burrowes has a new fan. This is the second I've read by her, and I really enjoyed it, as I did the first.
In the previous book it was fairly obvious that Prichard and St Didier would get their stories, and here we have the pleasure of discovering Lucien's story.
There are bandits and banter (well, maybe not bandits per se, but bad guys and evil etc.. and yes, witty banter), strong characters, interesting subplots and more. And a story that keeps you turning pages (or in the case of being on an ereader, swiping to the side that means you like it (even if on mine that means swiping left!!?).
I meant to mention the parallel with Penelope, waiting at home, handling all the chaos at home and then dealing with Ulysses - oops, Lucien, when he finally makes it home...
I look forward to reading the next in the series and discovering others by this author.
In the previous book it was fairly obvious that Prichard and St Didier would get their stories, and here we have the pleasure of discovering Lucien's story.
There are bandits and banter (well, maybe not bandits per se, but bad guys and evil etc.. and yes, witty banter), strong characters, interesting subplots and more. And a story that keeps you turning pages (or in the case of being on an ereader, swiping to the side that means you like it (even if on mine that means swiping left!!?).
I meant to mention the parallel with Penelope, waiting at home, handling all the chaos at home and then dealing with Ulysses - oops, Lucien, when he finally makes it home...
I look forward to reading the next in the series and discovering others by this author.
July 10, 2025
An intriguing chapter in the gentrified life of a former spy from wartime on the continent. Butler advisor from the first book is revealed to be actually a Peer. Lost love remains managing an old estate while he was off spying. Bully neighbour intends to force a wedding, Thwarted by friends and plans. Nice.
October 15, 2025
very enjoyable
Grace Burrowes has an absolutely charming style of writing. Her stories are unique, her characters are witty and erudite, and her vocabulary is brilliant. I cannot say enough good things about this tale of an absent marquis, the girl he left behind, and a slew of secondary characters who are completely
3-dimensional.
Grace Burrowes has an absolutely charming style of writing. Her stories are unique, her characters are witty and erudite, and her vocabulary is brilliant. I cannot say enough good things about this tale of an absent marquis, the girl he left behind, and a slew of secondary characters who are completely
3-dimensional.
August 27, 2024
What once was lost, now is found
Oh how I love a good second chance romance, and this one is excellent, of course.
Grace Burrowes is a literary gem. Looking forward to St. Didier’s story…. Highly recommended.
Oh how I love a good second chance romance, and this one is excellent, of course.
Grace Burrowes is a literary gem. Looking forward to St. Didier’s story…. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews