The Duke's Walls of Silence: A Historical Romance Novel

by Elizabeth Everly

“You think kindness is weakness, but it’s the only thing strong enough to love a man like you…”

When Marcus, the brooding and broken Duke of Hawick, loses everything he trusted, his love, his best friend, and his belief in loyalty, he vows never to be vulnerable again. Wounded in body and spirit, he buries himself in bitterness and solitude, until a reckless wager binds him to the one woman who might be able to reach the heart he swore was dead.

Lady Miriam, daughter of the Earl of Dunstable, never imagined her future would be tied to a man so cold, so angry… so lost. Yet beneath Marcus’s harsh words and haunted eyes, she sees a man aching to be whole. With grace, quiet strength, and unwavering patience, she dares to challenge the darkness within him, and offer the possibility of something he no longer believes in love.

A breathtaking tale of redemption, marriage of convenience is a slow-burning romance that proves even the most shattered hearts can find their way back to hope.

No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after full of romance.

Also free with Kindle unlimited.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2025

Reviews

[Doreen Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. Duke Marcus had been jilted and his betrothed ran away with his best friend. Marcus withdrew from society for several years but was reminded that he needed to marry to secure his inheritance and fulfil his father's will. He decided to look for a spinster or a wallflower as he felt they would be quieter and easier to manage. Lady Miriam was a spinster and her brother offered her to Marcus in a card game. Miriam did not know anything about the arrangement and only heard about the betrothal, through gossip. Their marriage was cold from the start. Marcus ignored Miriam and she was very lonely. His mother realised what was happening and tried to help. There were several incidences that Miriam was blamed for. Was it really Miriam at fault? Will Marcus discover the culprit? Will it be enough for him to put the past behind him and move forward as a family. I liked Miriam's calm, level-headed responses, even when under stress. This is a clean, well-written story.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this author's books. She writes historical romance books with real depth and meaning. She doesn’t just explain all the pretty gowns and the balls happening in the ton. Each book has a story to it with wonderful characters. In this book, Miriam is going into the season again after several family issues that have prevented her for the last few years making her almost a spinster. Duke of Hawick, Marcus, needs to find a wallflower or spinster to marry since he has no desire to do so but his father’s will dictates that he does. This leads to the story of their marriage, along with other issues happening within the manor. What I also like about this author is she puts in a little mystery in her story. She brings everything so true to life that you could picture watching this on a Hallmark channel.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apologies

The Duke of Harwick was left standing at the altar when his betrothed ran away with his best man. He became angry and mean, avoiding all contact with the ton.

Miriam found herself at an age where young women were considered a spinster if they were unmarried. The sequential death of her parents with her father’s illness having been a lingering one, and her brother heir to the earldom off on holiday kept her from having a proper come out.

When Miriam’s brother tired of being responsible for her well being, tricked Harwick into marrying her. Harwick was so angered by it all, that he treated Miriam abominably.

This had a bit of mystery to it and was well-written enough to grab my attention until the end. I believe it actually had a moral to the story in that forgiveness being peace and happiness on all sides. Four stars for this thoughtful romance.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Societal expectations in marriage set the stage for Marcus’s initial heartbreak. After this he seemed so cold detached and very calculating in his actions and words. I think it was the depth of Marcus’s heartbreak an$ reaction that first grabbed my attention . As Miriam is brought into his sphere, we can see some of that inner turmoil resurfacing and at the same time changing. Clearly taking time to heal and accept the past is key to being amble to move forward. I really enjoy stories like this where truth, honest sharing of thought, fears and emotions show a genuine connection of the characters. Loved how Marcus and Miriam found their HEA in the end.

[Renee Ferritto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overcoming grief, loneliness, and deceit to achieve an HEA. Both MCs forgive and open up their hearts.
The Duke of Hawick left at the altar loses everything his love, his best friend, and his belief in loyalty. He buried himself in bitterness and solitude, until a reckless wager binds him in matrimony.
Lady Miriam, daughter of the Earl of Dunstable, never imagined she would be tied to a man so cold, so angry… so lost and haunted.
With grace, quiet strength, and unwavering patience, she stands beside him to overcome a threat to them both and win their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rose Seals · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, full of drama, intrigue, society, mystery, emotions, fear, twists and a marriage of convenience. Marcus is a Duke who has had some bad things that has changed his outlook on his life. Lady Miriam is the daughter of an Earl and now offered a marriage of convenience. When they are together, he is not a very warm and caring man. Miriam is a soft loving woman that needs to her feelings to help him. Feelings and emotions do warm his soul and heart so that they get their happily ever after. Would recommend to others.
I received this story and leave this unbiased, honest review.

[Pamela Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Duke's Wall of Silence" is only the second book I have read from this author, but she is quickly becoming one of my favorites. This story reals goes from a Duke who ends up left at the altar to a happy married man. There is a lot in between including bitterness, loneliness, betrayal, guilt, anger. selfishness, deceit, feeling unwanted, revenge, forgiveness and love. This story will take you on a ride of emotions that you will be able to relate to. A clean romance that you will enjoy!!

[NelleRenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot of emotional ups and downs. The MMC was left at the alter and has walled up his emotions. He is pressed into a marriage of convenience. The FMC is a very caring young woman who gets glimpses of the true man behind her husband’s dark exterior. With time, patience and honesty the marriage blossoms to one with a HEA.

[Nancy T Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Betrayal/A Marriage/Hate/Love..

Duke Marcus is at a loss for words as his bride to be disappears the morning of their wedding-running off to marry another. Marcus marries but has no love in his heart until Lady Miriam forgives & forgets
& he begins to have a change of heart but strange, unexpected, and unexplained things begin to happen
& he must find out why with his wife.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcus has lost everything and become so wrapped up in his pain that he is cold and harsh. A marriage of convenience turns into a time to heal, forgive and move forward. Well written and well paced.

[Ophelia Sellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Duke’s Wall of Silence

The author has captured my attention from the beginning of the book and has not wavered until the end. I got very frustrated with the Duke at times and wanted to throttle him. Elizabeth is a talented writer of regency romance.