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Misfits of the Ton #9
Taciturn in the Ton
Not yet published
Expected 22 Feb 26
A marriage of necessity…with a man who shuns her.
Despite being a duke’s sister, Olivia Whitcombe is shunned by Society due to one insurmountable flaw: her illegitimacy. Taunted by debutantes and rejected by suitors, her debut Season couldn’t get any worse—until she’s caught in a compromising position with a taciturn stranger.
To save the Whitcombe name, Olivia yields to her brother’s demands and finds herself transported to a neglected manor and forced to marry a silent, brooding earl with pain and anger in his eyes, who shuns her at every turn.
Charles Devereaux hasn’t spoken a word since witnessing his mother’s violent death as a child. On inheriting the earldom and a mountain of debts, he returns to Penham Park, his hated childhood home, and reluctantly enters the Marriage Mart. When a debutante of doubtful birth falls—literally—into his arms, Charles curses himself for being snared so easily.
But dark secrets and the specter of Death linger within the walls of Penham Park, and when Charles’s heart begins to soften toward his bride, it may be too late.
Despite being a duke’s sister, Olivia Whitcombe is shunned by Society due to one insurmountable flaw: her illegitimacy. Taunted by debutantes and rejected by suitors, her debut Season couldn’t get any worse—until she’s caught in a compromising position with a taciturn stranger.
To save the Whitcombe name, Olivia yields to her brother’s demands and finds herself transported to a neglected manor and forced to marry a silent, brooding earl with pain and anger in his eyes, who shuns her at every turn.
Charles Devereaux hasn’t spoken a word since witnessing his mother’s violent death as a child. On inheriting the earldom and a mountain of debts, he returns to Penham Park, his hated childhood home, and reluctantly enters the Marriage Mart. When a debutante of doubtful birth falls—literally—into his arms, Charles curses himself for being snared so easily.
But dark secrets and the specter of Death linger within the walls of Penham Park, and when Charles’s heart begins to soften toward his bride, it may be too late.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 22, 2026
6 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Emily Royal
42 books193 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling Author Emily Royal is a mathematics geek who grew up in Sussex, England and has always had a passion for romance and bad boy heroes in need of redemption. Emily graduated from Oxford University with a Chemistry degree, but returned to her mathematical roots to work in financial services, while indulging in her dream of becoming a pilot, and enjoying a brief international sporting career.
She now lives near the Highlands, with her Scottish husband, two daughters and menagerie of rescue pets including Twinkle, an attention-seeking boa constrictor. When not working on algebra, dreaming about her heroes, or keeping Twinkle from slithering over her keyboard, Emily enjoys painting, playing the piano and keeping her family well stocked with cake.
She now lives near the Highlands, with her Scottish husband, two daughters and menagerie of rescue pets including Twinkle, an attention-seeking boa constrictor. When not working on algebra, dreaming about her heroes, or keeping Twinkle from slithering over her keyboard, Emily enjoys painting, playing the piano and keeping her family well stocked with cake.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy
I have been waiting for this book with bated breath. I adore the series, Emily Royal is one of my Top 5 authors, and I found Charles Devereaux to be an intriguing character in the last book of the series.
Olivia is the sister of a duke, but is illegitimate, and it affects her ability to be part of the Ton. Her brother wants her to find a husband. She isn't as keen on it.
Charles Devereaux became mute after witnessing a tragedy when he was young. He is an incredibly angry young man. When he accidentally compromises Olivia at a ball, they are forced to marry. She is afraid of him at first. He doesn't speak, and it's easy for them to misunderstand each other.
Emily Royal can take what appears to be the same old tropes, and somehow write a fresh new story that I have never read before. I loved this book. Like the others in thr series, I'm sure I will read it repeatedly.
The only drawbacks that I could see is that I felt it could be a little longer, because the.growth of love between the two seemed a little rushed. However, it may have seemed like that to me just because I read the book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down, but all her books are similarly engaging, to me. The other thing I noticed was that it seemed like Whitcombe was almost a different character from who she wrote before. His reactions and actions were not what I would have expected from him, as a more stoic duke. These issues are not enough to keep me from giving it a 5-star rating
As a person with multiple disabilities and who has a social anxiety stutter and occasional mutism, I was just very happy she ended the book the way she did. That's all I can say without spoiling.
I received a free book from the author through netgalley.com, and this is my honest review.
Olivia is the sister of a duke, but is illegitimate, and it affects her ability to be part of the Ton. Her brother wants her to find a husband. She isn't as keen on it.
Charles Devereaux became mute after witnessing a tragedy when he was young. He is an incredibly angry young man. When he accidentally compromises Olivia at a ball, they are forced to marry. She is afraid of him at first. He doesn't speak, and it's easy for them to misunderstand each other.
Emily Royal can take what appears to be the same old tropes, and somehow write a fresh new story that I have never read before. I loved this book. Like the others in thr series, I'm sure I will read it repeatedly.
The only drawbacks that I could see is that I felt it could be a little longer, because the.growth of love between the two seemed a little rushed. However, it may have seemed like that to me just because I read the book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down, but all her books are similarly engaging, to me. The other thing I noticed was that it seemed like Whitcombe was almost a different character from who she wrote before. His reactions and actions were not what I would have expected from him, as a more stoic duke. These issues are not enough to keep me from giving it a 5-star rating
As a person with multiple disabilities and who has a social anxiety stutter and occasional mutism, I was just very happy she ended the book the way she did. That's all I can say without spoiling.
I received a free book from the author through netgalley.com, and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
i like how the foundation of their relationship and ability to sympathise with one another comes from their shared status as outcasts in the eyes of society, olivia due to her status as an illegitimate child and charles due to his inability to speak, and i appreciated the inclusion of selective mutism and sign language.
however i'm quite confused as to where charles's disdain for women even comes from? he has a deep vitriol reserved for women that at times surpasses his anger towards his father/men, who have demonstrably caused him more harm, and borders on seriously grating. the most important women in his life (his mother and his housekeeper) were significantly positive forces and a source of support in his life prior to his leaving. obviously period-typical misogyny exists and is often an unavoidable part of the genre and its leads but his is to an extent that has no (explanatory not justifying) reason. he then subsequently cares for olivia and has consideration for her circumstances, but from the way he's positioned to regard women prior why would he?
in addition, they simply don't spend enough time together. although as stated earlier you can see the basis for why they may find solidarity with one another, it's never explored in depth. they never have a sincere discussion about themselves and how their experiences have shaped them. i'm fairly certain he never even discusses his parents with her, and everything she knows about his situation comes from the word of others. as for olivia, she herself doesn't discuss her own life and circumstances with the reader much less charles. what about her own feelings regarding parents and her pointed lack of them? what about her life before her brother took her in beyond the cursory one or two expository lines? ultimately, the care and love seems to form because they're married, instead of their marriage being an event that creates the environment for that care to form.
a very minor issue is that charles tends to use one single type of curse, which can get repetitive.
however i'm quite confused as to where charles's disdain for women even comes from? he has a deep vitriol reserved for women that at times surpasses his anger towards his father/men, who have demonstrably caused him more harm, and borders on seriously grating. the most important women in his life (his mother and his housekeeper) were significantly positive forces and a source of support in his life prior to his leaving. obviously period-typical misogyny exists and is often an unavoidable part of the genre and its leads but his is to an extent that has no (explanatory not justifying) reason. he then subsequently cares for olivia and has consideration for her circumstances, but from the way he's positioned to regard women prior why would he?
in addition, they simply don't spend enough time together. although as stated earlier you can see the basis for why they may find solidarity with one another, it's never explored in depth. they never have a sincere discussion about themselves and how their experiences have shaped them. i'm fairly certain he never even discusses his parents with her, and everything she knows about his situation comes from the word of others. as for olivia, she herself doesn't discuss her own life and circumstances with the reader much less charles. what about her own feelings regarding parents and her pointed lack of them? what about her life before her brother took her in beyond the cursory one or two expository lines? ultimately, the care and love seems to form because they're married, instead of their marriage being an event that creates the environment for that care to form.
a very minor issue is that charles tends to use one single type of curse, which can get repetitive.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is one very heart-wrenching tale of 2 misfits….one of “low” birth and the other scarred from a past no one should live. Watching Charles trajectory change was heart warming and I was enamored with the sign language . Olivia is split between two worlds and the ton never lets her forget it. I loved how Charles dealt with one slimy male, with the help of his banker- that was rather funny. Their meeting was different and I enjoyed how protective of her he became as the story progressed. The villain or villains were somewhat hidden, but it doesn’t take much to figure it out. The author asks what I didn’t like about the story, so here it is. The constant and obsessive use of the f-bomb. It DESTROYS a story for me and honestly I flinch every time it shows up. So many beautiful , heart wrenching stories are written without it, (thinking back to Kathleen Woodwiss) and they did very well. There is NO need, in my opinion to plaster a truly wonderful story with such crass language. Thus the 4 stars.What could and should have been exceptional with as many stars as could be given, looses its appeal quickly with it.
I received this story for free and these are my own views.
I received this story for free and these are my own views.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Our lead characters in this historical romance are complicated people. Our heroine was born on the wrong side of the blanket. (illegitimate) . Our hero had such trauma in his childhood,it stole his voice. He only returned to England after the death of his father because of the responsibility to the estate.
They are both misfits to society, and have been ridiculed and tormented. They have a lot to get past, and difficulty trusting others. That doesn't mean there is only sadness in this story. There is joy, and entertainment aplenty. We also have a spiteful villain who proves dangerous.
A story that will get you thinking.
Good fun.
They are both misfits to society, and have been ridiculed and tormented. They have a lot to get past, and difficulty trusting others. That doesn't mean there is only sadness in this story. There is joy, and entertainment aplenty. We also have a spiteful villain who proves dangerous.
A story that will get you thinking.
Good fun.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A pair of misfit thrown together by circumstances, turns out to be the perfect pair. Enjoyable read as they embark on the journey of married life crossing a sea of misunderstanding and miscommunication amidst ill treatments and envious threats. Very good and highly recommended read.
I received an ARC of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.
I received an ARC of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.
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February 12, 2026While this was a short book. It was very cute and I enjoyed it. I liked Olivia and Charles. I do think the story could’ve been longer and the villain more fleshed out though.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the book early.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the book early.
February 5, 2026
3.75
A rough start and too many utterances of “devil’s breeches” but we got there! RTC
A rough start and too many utterances of “devil’s breeches” but we got there! RTC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
cute romcom with some fantastic characters and good vibes. would recommend. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews