An Heir of Distinction

Bad Heir Day Tales #5

by Grace Burrowes

A fortunate bequest...

Former vicar Bernard Huxley has inherited responsibility for complicated family businesses, though he finds himself surprisingly happy immersed in trade. Then his London relations foist upon him guardianship of two small children when Bernard already has quite enough to do. He knows little about children generally, even less about these two little darlings, and he’s utterly flummoxed by their articulate, stubborn, and curiously impressive mama.

Or a dangerous mess?

Sorcha, Lady Barclay, will use every weapon she can lay her hands on to protect her offspring from her meddling in-laws, but she has few defenses against a man who takes his honor seriously, listens to her, and sometimes even has worthy ideas. In fact, Bernard has a certain inconvenient appeal, which is of absolutely no moment, of course. When somebody threatens the children, accusations start flying, and trust goes straight down the jakes.

Will Bernard and Sorcha turn to each other when trouble looms, or let a mutual enemy forever drive them apart?

Genres: Romance, Historical, Historical Romance, Fiction, Regency

262 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2026

About the author

Grace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.

It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.

While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")

Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)

To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.

Reviews

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great entry to the Bad Heir Day collection. Typical Burrowes with feet once again starring.
Cozy regency read.

[BJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The H fell hard fir tge h and she was reluctant due to her awful experience as a wife. Some one is causing accidents and the h's son is at risk. She gets uppity with the H even as he exposes the baddies. I thought them both frustrating.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

When former vicar Bernard Huxley is pressed into service as guardian to the widow Lady Sorcha Barclay’s young children, he takes his post seriously, especially when the children are imperiled by unusual occurrences. Lady Barclay takes some convincing that the events are not just unfortunate coincidences. Family intrigue, pressure to appeal to the denizens of the ton, while avoiding the matchmakers, all serve to force Bernard and Sorcha into working closely together to solve the mystery and protect the children. After a disastrous first marriage, Sorcha is surprised to find that working together with Bernard appeals. The anticipated HEA does not disappoint while the exposure of who is harming the children has a satisfying and compassionate resolution. Ms. Burrowes always ties up all the loose ends in her stories and provides enough background so that her books can be read as standalones, though I highly recommend the entire series, as they are all delightful! This book was provided by the author without any requirement for a review, positive or otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Grace Burrowes for a long time. I've read all in this series. She takes the time to develop the characters well. And I suspect writing about children isn't easy, particularly children in a different time period. Having read the previous book in the series, you understand that as a vicar he has experience dealing with a wide range of reponsibilities. Whether that has helped develop him into a mature & calm person, or that's just his true nature, we can speculate about. He's working hard to manage his cousin's commercial businesses and interact with his newly discovered ton relatives. He has been suggested as a guardian to Lady Sorcha Barclay's two children. She is suspicious of him and defensive at first, but finds he can gently motivate them in the right direction and cares about their education and well-being. There is a mystery involved in the storyline also. And this is a romance, although a gentle romance. She can write sex scenes with the best of them (Lady Eve's Indiscretion and The Duke's Disaster, as examples) but knows to use them discreetly and appropriately for the development of the plot.

[Anne Egger · Rating 4 out of 5]

We first are acquainted with Bernard Huxley in the previous book, Besotted Baron. In that book Bernard is the vicar in a village in Yorkshire. Bernard thinks he is managing his mother, but the truth is she is a nightmare. Bernard's mother is exiled to parts unknown and all are happy about it. In this book Bernard is now in trade in London and has asked to be guardian to two children and help out their mother, a widow named Sorcha. Because of Bernard's experience with his mother, he sees evil intent towards Sorcha's children, when she does not. I really liked the character development of Bernard and I also understood Sorcha's reluctance to believe bad intentions of her relatives. Grace is back. Yeah.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m pretty sure Grace Burrowes is the queen of opening lines. Every time I start one of her books I’m smiling at the first paragraph.

Yes, this is a romance with children in it. And their characters are fully developed. And our hero really gets to know them. And his deep knowledge of them helps to solve a long standing problem.

An Heir of Distinction leaves the door ajar. Intimacies are referred to, but not explicitly described.

This is a gentle romance on the lower angst side for Grace Burrowes. But I still enjoyed it very much.

Thank you Grace Burrowes for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenges abound but Love prevails! One of the things I love about Grace Burrowes' heros are they are regular guys. Bernard has experienced trying times that would have broken lesser men (and women). But he goes forward with a bright attitude and a willingness to make the best of every situation. Lady Barclay may not appreciate his unflappable demeanor in the beginning, but she'll find it lovely by the end. Their banter is lively and I always learn new vocabulary in Burrowes' tales. It's a great stand-alone novel, however, it so much better when read as part of the entire Bad Heir series. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.

[Carol Ann Doveatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I take pleasure in reading any and all of Grace Burrowes stories. This tale has two lonely people come together with the addition of the heroine having two children. Grace writes splendidly and gorgeously. The intrigue and angst are lower in this book, and I appreciate that. The romance is sweet, the characters very well developed, and the children add much to the story. Sorcha and Bernard are ordinary people who come together to protect the children and find love for themselves. I would read this series in order as the characters continue to the next book. I am looking forward to the next installment in th Bad Heir Day Tales.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Bernard discover who is responsible for the misadventures befalling his new charges

Bernard has been given responsibility for acting as guardian to two children, the boy stand as potential heir to a title.

Along with their mother he must uncover who is responsible for the series of unpleasant incidents which have beset the two children.

This was another lovely story in the Bad Heir Day series and we have been set up for the next tale which looks as though it will involve Richard (Bernard’s half brother).

[Theresa M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great in the series.

I have enjoyed this book as well as all the others in the series. Ms. Burrowes is an excellent writer, which I have perceived in all of the many books of hers that I have read and which I own. Her characters are well developed, believable as well as REAL. I love the allusions and introductions to the characters from her other books , such as the Morelands.. I pending have books on pre-order and will have others as well. Thank you for giving me hundreds of hours of great pleasure and entertainment.

[Anne-Mammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could one not like Bernard? I loved the way he interacted with the children Jordy and Bridget. In themselves they deserve 5 stars even if at first the story takes some time to get going and the romance between the adults is rather sudden. It is so pleasant to read Grace Burrowes ‘ flowing style, elaborate without ever becoming esoteric. I can’t say that the previous books in this series made a lasting impression on me, but I very much enjoyed this one even if St Didier only figured fleetingly. Looking forward to the next episode.

[TrixieB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that's another delightful read!!

We did not see as much of St Didier as we did in other books.

I enjoyed the exploration of how people who abused them in the past haunted their decisions in the present. Bernard was a tad overbearing a couple times (whose children after they??), but he sees that's because of what his mother did to him, and the village.

I dislike when we take troublesome people and send them to another country. They will still cause trouble, even if you don't see it.

[Pat Dupuy · Rating 5 out of 5]

St Didier didn't have to twist any arms to get Bernard Huxley to do his duty as guardian for his "new" young cousins. Benard has the knack after ten years as a parson sometimes in charge of young boys' education. He is sooooo likeable, handsome, and tells the best stories. And witty. I loved the back and forths between him and St Didier, and between him and Sorcha, the children's mother. He may just be the man of my dreams!

[penelopewanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to appreciate the books by Burrowes a bit as I appreciate those by Mary Balogh - the characters are complex and interesting, the stories are entertaining, and although there is some dramatic tension, reading remains a pleasurable experience, without nail biting or anxiety producing suspense. There's enough of that on the news these days.
I also have a great fondness for clever characters, and here, between Sorcha and Huxley, there's not just romantic sparks but also great ideas. If only all adults were as good at understanding children...

[Jiji · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's competently written, and I was bored. I pushed myself to reach chapter 10.

The protagonists go from being pushed together for family reasons to let's get together a bit too fast; the author didn't build anticipation on that front. Halfway through they're together and I don't like either of them enough to want to see what happens next because for me the romance is solved and so I'm done.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to this series. Grace writes complex, interesting characters. She’s even good with children, understanding their level of speech and behavior. She’s one of my favorite authors - never disappoints.

[Amy Fentress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

Love the story line. Grace Burrowes is my favorite author for a reason. She writes interesting and fun stories making sure to include humor. You don't need to start with the first book but it does help with all the characters.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernard is why I love these books. Honest and true. My only issue is how people never seem to truly get their comeuppance. There were awful, nasty, dangerous “pranks” that would traumatize a child. Just not ok.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the decent main character.

A former vicar put in charge of a business, finds himself also appointed guardian of two children and attracted to their mother.

Sorcha, after a horrendous marriage, is determined to protect her children and has never considered remarriage...

[Kelly S. Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace never disappoints! This is another fun series!

[Paula Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a pleasure

Grace Burrowes never disappoints. Another lovely Regency with characters older than the teenagers common to Regency romances. I buy everything she writes.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Most recent in this series, enjoyable historical romance though the romance seemed to happen and lot too quickly and conveniently. But a fast read. Free ebook from the library.

[Katherine J. Dorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more!

It's too short. This story is good enough to carry a couple more chapters so we could follow Bernard and Sorcha into wedded bliss.

[Debbie Dodd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As expected

[Charles C. Sellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex love story

As usual, Ms Burroughs delivers a complex novel full of intrigue and passion and keeps the reader involved throughout until the final satisfying conclusion.