A Promised Lady for a Disguised Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel: VEXLEYS Book 5

by Emily Barnet

“She is promised to another.
He is not the man he claims to be.
In the quiet countryside, love becomes the greatest risk of all.”

Lady Eliza Vexley has accepted a sensible engagement, one her family approves and society applauds. Yet as her wedding approaches, a quiet certainty troubles her something essential is missing. When she is invited to spend several weeks at her aunt’s peaceful Somerset estate, Eliza welcomes the respite from wedding preparations she cannot quite bring herself to celebrate.

What she does not expect is the estate’s reserved steward.

Rhys Elwood tends Thornfield Cottage with rare precision and an unmistakable air of refinement that does not quite suit his position. Courteous but distant, he keeps careful boundaries, and secrets he cannot afford to reveal. Drawn together by a shared love of learning, gardens, and quiet observation, Eliza and Rhys find themselves forming a connection neither intended nor can safely pursue.

For Eliza is promised to another man.
And Rhys is hiding the truth of who he really is.

As autumn deepens and feelings grow impossible to ignore, both must decide whether duty is worth the cost of a love that feels achingly right. Because in a world governed by reputation and restraint, the most dangerous choice may be listening to one’s heart.

A clean Regency romance of quiet longing, hidden identity, and love that blooms where it should not.

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 4, 2026

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Botany

This story had such potential, yet it was buried beneath botanical references and constant reminders of a hidden identity.

Lady Eliza was betrothed to be married to a good man, but she could find no enthusiasm for the match. She goes to visit her widowed aunt in the country where she meets a very dignified steward who keeps her aunt’s grounds and books.

Rhys is obviously more than he pretends to be, as he is obviously educated and has the bearing of a man from an illustrious family line. Rhys is a Duke who has been hiding as a steward after people he trusted embezzled from his estates and then try to kill him. Like I said, there was possibility here, but this was boring and disappointing. I am being kind offering two stars, as this author has written so many better stories.

[Debbie Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple things I have noticed in reading books of the regency era are 1) how much further advanced they were than what I expected. Sometimes I find ,self thinking “ this couldn’t happen then” but when checking the dates for this era, I realize a lot was happening then. 2) In the country, people did not seem to adhere to the strict social standards as in the cities. A man and a woman without a proper chaperone would be terrible in London yet in the country, it seemed to be okay. I have noticed this in a couple books from the time period. 3) Women, if they wanted, could be more educated. In some cases, it meant they might not find a suitable spouse, but the more educated ladies cared more for their knowledge than a proper betrothal.

Another important thing I have noticed is that the language used in conversation and descriptions includes terminology not found in many current novels. I find myself double-checking meanings or confirming that I do know definitions. I think this speaks highly for the authors but it also speaks to the lower reading levels of many of today’s books. With adult literacy at such a low level, our novels might be lowered to encourage understanding.
Not a pleasant thought. For this retired teacher, having challenging vocabulary is vital.

Now this story was not unpredictable except for the fact that the main characters were allowed to be together with no mention of a chaperone. Even living in an aunt’s home, where one would expect a lady’s maid to be nearby, it was never mentioned. In fact, there was no mention of a lady’s maid at all so the women in this family were capable of caring for themselves.

The openness among the characters was also a nice thing to see. In stories of this time period, marriages were often arranged with no chance of love happening. This story began knowing that the main female character was promised to someone and they were communicating with each other via mail which was encouraging a deepening of emotions.

The story is slightly different from the standard story with a secret hidden…as difficult as it was which is why I a, not sharing the story itself.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliza Vexley was engaged to marry Frederick Ashworth in six months, and although her family was in full wedding preparation mode, she did not seem excited. When an opportunity came to visit her ailing Aunt Iris’ country estate, she readily agreed. There she met Mr. Rhys Elwood, her aunt’s steward, and they engaged in numerous intellectual discussions regarding botany. But….something about Rhys did not add up. Three years ago when Rhys’ life had been threatened, he faked his death, and reinvented himself. Now instead of being the Duke of Merlewood, he was Mr. Rhys Elwood, estate steward for Lady Thornfield, Eliza’s Aunt Iris. This is the story of their relationship. You will find scientific and botanical discussions, secrets, and emotional conflict. Eliza’s brother Sebastian, the Duke of Vexwood, is the catalyst for discovery, and handles an incredibly awkward situation with honesty and finesse. Frederick is the true hero of the tale. His kindness and generocity makes so much possible. This story highlights one family at its best, and another at its worst….and the undercurrent of danger keeps the reader glued to the page.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Promised Lady for a Disguised Duke” by Emily Barnet

-A charming Regency romance between two intelligent people with the courage to challenge society’s rigid expectations for love. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Lady Eliza Vexley and Rhys Elwood shine with wit, respect, and a quietly powerful connection. Eliza’s loving, supportive family and friends adds warmth, making this a truly memorable and satisfying read. I highly recommend this enjoyable story.

[Nancy T Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Marriage?/A New Love/A Secret..

Lady Eliza is visiting her Aunt in the country while also anticipating her marriage in 6 months. However, she meets Rhys, an estate manager, & they share the same vision about exotic plants. However, Rhys has a secret that no one must know but it’s becoming extremely difficult not to share it with Eliza. But they both have feelings for each other…

[Pamela Barbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The characters were wonderfully written. There is mystery, betrayal, attempted murder, family, connection of the heart and mind, cancelled wedding and love. I would have given this 5 stars, except I thought the end was a little rushed without some of the details I would have liked to have been more fully covered and explained.

[Linda Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mystery of Romance

This was an interesting novel with fully developed characters and a plot with intense mystery developed to provide interest throughout the story. Romance showed up in unexpected places. Take the time to read this enjoyable story.

[sandra hazra · Rating 3 out of 5]

editing

This was a very well structure and interesting story. However, there was a very serious lack of editing, allowing for repetitive phrases and parts of the story until I personally lost interest in reading anymore, except the ending.

[toya · Rating 3 out of 5]

a sweet take of the vexley family coming to the rescue of their future brother-in-law.

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting story. Loved the character connection that developed. Very entertaining book!

[Pat]

I really tried, but I simply could not finish as it was very repetitive.