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Charming a Scoundrel
***Originally published in The Heart of a Duke. Expanded version. Sweet.
Armed with a gypsy necklace guaranteed to win the heart of a duke, Miss Valera Bell sets her cap for the newly eligible Duke of Langley. She might have spent the first half of the Season with the wallflowers, but now she has a chance to make her parents proud and prove to her beautiful older sister that she is not a lost cause. When an orchestrated run-in with the duke ends with Valera flat on her bum with barely a glance from the man destined to become her husband, her confidence in magic is rattled. How is she to win the heart of a man who seems to lack one? When her best friend’s dashing brother feels sorry for her and asks her to dance, it seems to pique the duke’s interest. Alex Barnaby, Earl of Ravenswood, may be more valuable when it comes to winning the duke than any piece of enchanted jewelry. But will he agree to help her?
Alex is more than happy to come to the rescue of his sister’s childhood friend. He’s always had a soft spot for the well-read miss and enjoys the eccentricities that make her unique, but little Vallie Bell grew up when he wasn’t looking, and Alex is treading on dangerous ground when he agrees to pretend to court the charming young woman. Playing with an innocent could land him in the parson’s noose when he isn’t free to marry whomever he chooses, and his sister would be none too happy if she knew he was having such debauched dreams about her best friend. Nevertheless, the unfeeling duke could never appreciate a sweet girl like Valera, and staying by her side might be the only way Alex can guide her toward a better marriage match, even if he risks losing his own heart along the way.
Armed with a gypsy necklace guaranteed to win the heart of a duke, Miss Valera Bell sets her cap for the newly eligible Duke of Langley. She might have spent the first half of the Season with the wallflowers, but now she has a chance to make her parents proud and prove to her beautiful older sister that she is not a lost cause. When an orchestrated run-in with the duke ends with Valera flat on her bum with barely a glance from the man destined to become her husband, her confidence in magic is rattled. How is she to win the heart of a man who seems to lack one? When her best friend’s dashing brother feels sorry for her and asks her to dance, it seems to pique the duke’s interest. Alex Barnaby, Earl of Ravenswood, may be more valuable when it comes to winning the duke than any piece of enchanted jewelry. But will he agree to help her?
Alex is more than happy to come to the rescue of his sister’s childhood friend. He’s always had a soft spot for the well-read miss and enjoys the eccentricities that make her unique, but little Vallie Bell grew up when he wasn’t looking, and Alex is treading on dangerous ground when he agrees to pretend to court the charming young woman. Playing with an innocent could land him in the parson’s noose when he isn’t free to marry whomever he chooses, and his sister would be none too happy if she knew he was having such debauched dreams about her best friend. Nevertheless, the unfeeling duke could never appreciate a sweet girl like Valera, and staying by her side might be the only way Alex can guide her toward a better marriage match, even if he risks losing his own heart along the way.
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2014
14 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Grace
47 books261 followersHistorical romance author Samantha Grace discovered the appeal of a great love story when she was just a young girl, thanks to Disney's Robin Hood. She didn't care that Robin Hood and Maid Marian were cartoon animals. It was her first happily-ever-after experience and she didn't want the warm fuzzies to end. Now Samantha enjoys creating her own happy-endings for characters that spring from her imagination. Publisher's Weekly describes her stories as "fresh and romantic" with subtle humor and charm. Samantha describes romance writing as the best job ever.
Part-time medical social worker, moonlighting author, and pilates nut, she enjoys a happy and hectic life with her real life hero and two kids in the Midwest.
FREE READ:
A Beau Monde Bachelor Christmas (extended epilogue)
Join newlywed couples Lord and Lady Norwick, Jake and Amelia Hillary, Daniel and Lisette Hillary, and Isaac and Serafine Tucker for their first Christmas together.
Bibi, the Countess of Norwick, would love to give her husband the one thing he really wants for Christmas: a ceasefire between her and his intractable sister. Facing Lady Troll during the holidays without reinforcements, however, would be foolish, and Bibi is no fool. She calls upon her dearest friends, Amelia and Jake Hillary, and a few more familiar faces to spend Christmas in Kent to help make the season a little brighter. Unfortunately, her guests are distracted by their own challenges this holiday season, and Bibi must find a way to connect with her sister-in-law without their help if she hopes to make Jasper's Christmas wishes come true.
To access A Beau Monde Bachelor Christmas, sign up for Samantha's newsletter group. www.samanthagraceauthor.com.
Part-time medical social worker, moonlighting author, and pilates nut, she enjoys a happy and hectic life with her real life hero and two kids in the Midwest.
FREE READ:
A Beau Monde Bachelor Christmas (extended epilogue)
Join newlywed couples Lord and Lady Norwick, Jake and Amelia Hillary, Daniel and Lisette Hillary, and Isaac and Serafine Tucker for their first Christmas together.
Bibi, the Countess of Norwick, would love to give her husband the one thing he really wants for Christmas: a ceasefire between her and his intractable sister. Facing Lady Troll during the holidays without reinforcements, however, would be foolish, and Bibi is no fool. She calls upon her dearest friends, Amelia and Jake Hillary, and a few more familiar faces to spend Christmas in Kent to help make the season a little brighter. Unfortunately, her guests are distracted by their own challenges this holiday season, and Bibi must find a way to connect with her sister-in-law without their help if she hopes to make Jasper's Christmas wishes come true.
To access A Beau Monde Bachelor Christmas, sign up for Samantha's newsletter group. www.samanthagraceauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 8, 2019
Short, sweet and utterly charming.
December 23, 2024
A nice, sweet story with a little misunderstanding that carries its way through the narrative, but it was believable. It's a clean story but there's still some good tension between the characters. You kind of feel sorry for Langley, lol.
This was originally part of an anthology called The Heart of a Duke (which is confused with and loosely part of The Heart of a Duke series by Christi Caldwell - 22 books so far).
The anthology The Heart of a Duke has 5 stories, some of which, like this one, also can be found separately. I've noted them below as the anthology is now out of print and I am having trouble tracking them all down.
1. Elle's story is first - haven't found it
2. Valera's - Charming a Scoundrel - this book
3. Aldora's story - In Need of a Duke (also called in Need of a Knight) - by Christi Caldwell and also part of her Heart of a Duke series (see how it gets confusing?)
4. Allison's story - haven't found it
5. Charlotte's story - Her Secondhand Duke by Aileen Fish
The anthology mentions Olivia Kelly and Robin Delany but neither author seems to have their stories offered separately and the anthology doesn't list the story names for each lady.
This was originally part of an anthology called The Heart of a Duke (which is confused with and loosely part of The Heart of a Duke series by Christi Caldwell - 22 books so far).
The anthology The Heart of a Duke has 5 stories, some of which, like this one, also can be found separately. I've noted them below as the anthology is now out of print and I am having trouble tracking them all down.
1. Elle's story is first - haven't found it
2. Valera's - Charming a Scoundrel - this book
3. Aldora's story - In Need of a Duke (also called in Need of a Knight) - by Christi Caldwell and also part of her Heart of a Duke series (see how it gets confusing?)
4. Allison's story - haven't found it
5. Charlotte's story - Her Secondhand Duke by Aileen Fish
The anthology mentions Olivia Kelly and Robin Delany but neither author seems to have their stories offered separately and the anthology doesn't list the story names for each lady.
December 21, 2025
A sweet story about how a necklace gives Val the confidence she naturally lacks. In the process she reacquaints herself with Alex, her friend’s older brother. In the end they find their hea
November 2, 2014
I read this novella in one sitting. I love the trope of the "best friend's older brother" and this was a really sweet story. Valera and Alex had known each other for years. Valera had always had a crush on him & he saw her as the most interesting of his younger sister's friends. However, once he realized she was going after someone else, and she asked for his help in securing her popularity, he started seeing her in a different light. Great story with a very satisfying resolution!
November 8, 2014
I read this novella in one day. I enjoyed it like I have every Samantha Grace book that I have read.
Valera Bell has set her sights on the Duke of Langley. She decides to get the help of her friend's older brother, Alex also known as Ravenwood. He will escort her around and that will get the Duke's attention.
What neither expected was that they would fall in love...
I received this book in exchange for a honest review.
Valera Bell has set her sights on the Duke of Langley. She decides to get the help of her friend's older brother, Alex also known as Ravenwood. He will escort her around and that will get the Duke's attention.
What neither expected was that they would fall in love...
I received this book in exchange for a honest review.
March 1, 2015
The first time I read this story, I was not a fan of Alex. I decided to re-read the story and I have to say that I liked him more. It takes a strong man to let his sweetheart be courted by other men. My only wish is that it wasn't a full length novel. Oh, the adventures Vallie and Alex would have had.
October 30, 2014
I am a believer in magic (see the dedication) and in Samantha Grace's stories. This delightful novella lightened my day with the cheerful romance between Valera and Alex. This couple made me smile and cheer them on to their happy ending. Pugs, bums and a ruby make a winning combination.
May 15, 2015
Great Read!
Great read . Sweet and romantic. Can't wait to read the story about the other friends. Samantha Grace never disappoints her readers!
Great read . Sweet and romantic. Can't wait to read the story about the other friends. Samantha Grace never disappoints her readers!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews