In Pursuit of a Lady

Improper Sons #1

by Maggi Andersen

Ex-army mates tangle with teasing ladies in merry, dangerous dance.

The death of Captain Jack Ryder’s father, the Duke of Stamford, leaves Jack restless. Despite being born out of wedlock, Jack felt his father was always there for him. Fed up with his obnoxious stepmother and her vile, avaricious relatives who make his life a misery, Jack dresses in buckskin breeches and takes to the road on his horse with the intention of visiting his mother’s grave in Ireland. But after one day, events conspire to interrupt his plans. Jack finds himself not only caught up in a conspiracy of immense proportions, but also in a passionate love affair with a lady he cannot marry. Lady Althea Lambourne’s father, the Marquess of Butterstone, has been murdered, and Jack promises to find his killer.

Lady Erina Rountree refuses to accept an arranged marriage with Captain Ryder’s friend Harry Feather. She yearns for adventure, and life with Mr. Feather would be dreadfully dull. Erina believes Harry wants a peaceful life while she thirsts for adventure. If only their fathers would give up their plan to see them married.

When Erina involves Harry in a clandestine journey to Ireland to help her cousin, she is surprised to find he means much more to him than she suspected. But he doesn’t love her and made it plain he doesn’t want to marry her.

Can the two couples overcome the obstacles standing in their way and find a path to a happy ending?

Tropes You'll Spirited HeroineSoldier HeroForbidden RomanceDebutanteAlpha HeroWealthy HeroSuspenseMurder Mystery
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This book was previously published as The Duke's Bastard and now has new content for you to enjoy!

Improper Sons
Book 1 - In Pursuit of a Lady
Book 2 - Tempting the reclusive Duke
Book 3 - Enticing the Reluctant Heir

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2026

About the author

USA TODAY bestselling author of Regency romance, and winner of the RONE award, Maggi Andersen wrote her first book for publication after gaining a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing. She lives on a farm in the beautiful Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia. She wrote her first adventure story at 8 years old. Her novels are mostly adventure stories, but also sensual romances. Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen inspired her Regencies and Victoria Holt, her Gothic Victorian mysteries She also writes contemporary romantic suspense and young adult novels.

Maggi supports the RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals) and animals often feature in her books.

Reviews

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 31st book by Maggi Andersen. I read my first book by her 2016, two in 2017 and then picked her up regularly in 2018. From June 2022 to June 2024 I hadn't ready anything of hers but since 2024 have read 7 of her books. Although she isn't super steamy, truthfully hardly steamy at all but I really enjoy her books and like her writing. I love that she is now with Dragonblade Publishing. So many of my favorite authors are with them. I love she has a new series out.

So it's interesting because I don't read book descriptions anymore. I liked to be totally surprised. With that being said, as I was reading I was completely surprised as I was assuming from the way the first part of the book was reading that Erina and Jack would be the ones hooking up at some point as they seemed to be the main characters. Surprised the heck out of me when Jack starting kissing Althea. Interesting having two FMCs and MMCs in a story. I really liked Jack and Althea and Harry and Erina and their characters. I also liked the storyline. It had a bit of intrigue and espionage. Still not steamy but well written and looking forward to more from this series.

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical romance has a hero who was born on the wrong side of the blanket. Although his father loved him and provided for him, he still carries the label. Because of that he can't see a way to marry without lowering the respectability of the woman he wants.
I won't tell you anything about the heroine incase it spoils it.
We do actually get two romances for the price of one in this book. We also get an adventure with a bit of danger. And a mystery to solve. All in a very interesting story with fabulous characters.
Great fun.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The death of Captain Jack Ryder’s father, the Duke of Stamford, leaves Jack restless. Despite being born out of wedlock, Jack’s father was always there for him. So he dons buckskin breeches and takes to the road on his horse to explore. But after one day, events conspire to interrupt his plans. Jack finds himself not only caught up in a conspiracy of immense proportions. Lady Althea Lambourne’s father, the Marquis of Butterstone, has been murdered, and Jack promises to find his killer. Lady Erina Rountree refuses to accept an arranged marriage with Captain Ryder’s friend Harry Feather. She yearns for adventure, and life with Mr. Feather would be dreadfully dull. When Erina involves Harry in a clandestine journey to Ireland to help her cousin Cathleen, she is surprised to find he has hidden depths.
The first in a new series & there’s two romances! I really liked all four main characters & two different journeys to HEAs. I loved the banter & growing closeness between Harry & Erina, Jack & Althea were pretty much instant lust which changed to love but there was the social divide. There was danger, mystery, surprises & of course romance. I did feel Jack & Althea’s HEA was a bit rushed but I thoroughly enjoyed the book
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captain Jack Ryder decides to go on a tour of the country after his fathers funeral as he stops at an inn over night a distraught family arrive they have been attacked and the father shot as Jack offers his help he sees that the shot man has no hope but the dying man asks his to look after his wife and daughter. He escorts them home and becomes involved in the mystery of why the father was shot and becomes attacked to the daughter meanwhile his friend Harry gets involved in his own romantic adventure. The story is full of mystery and romance full of twists and turns another great story from Maggi Andersen
Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade publishing for my arc copy

[Laurel Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read for me. It only took me a day to do so. I very much liked all the main characters Jack, Harry and Erina and Athela. (I don’t think I spelled the heroine’s names right). I enjoyed the fact that their were two different plots going on for the two romantic couples at the same time and that it quite easy for me to figure out when we had switched povs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonstone publishing for the chance to read an early copy of this novel

[Cherie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Mystery, Two Romances, a Fun Switching Story.
My first time reading this author and the way she wrote the story was in a very different format, yet fun.
The characters were delightfully interesting and a bit quirky, but the plot was interesting enough that I wanted to follow
the two couples and see how the conclusion of this murder mystery, romance book ended.
It does a very nice ending.
Book rating:3.7 rounded up 4

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though Jack and his good friend Harry have no intention of marrying anytime soon, they both find themselves in pursuit of their own lady. Jack helps out Althea when her father is murdered and Harry helps Erina to get to her cousin in Ireland, Both of these men realize they can't be without their women. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adventure, A mystery and fun road trips. This book gives you two love stories for the price of one. You have one man who doesn't want to marry and another who doesn't think he is worthy of marriage to a woman in society. Lots of intrigue. Lots of fun dialogue. An easy read.