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Sanguinet Saga #4
Love's Duet
The beautiful, high-spirited Lady Sophia Drayton had planned a clever revenge against the Marquis of Damon. For had he not conspired to send her beloved brother into the battle of Waterloo that had sent him home a cripple? Now, Sophia faced Damon on his own ground. In the thirteenth-century ghostly Priory he called home.Everything seemed strange. Why did Damon not ride or fence or engage in other gentlemanly pursuits? What was his connection with the depraved Cobra club? And what was behind the icy civility between Damon and his father?
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
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111 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Veryan
75 books102 followersPatricia Valeria Bannister was born in London. After World War II, she married Allan Louis Berg and moved to the United States; she lived on the West Coast and was the author of many historical novels from 1978 until 2002, using the pen names Patricia Veryan and Gwyneth Moore.
At the time of her death, she was living in Bellevue, Washington, USA.
At the time of her death, she was living in Bellevue, Washington, USA.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 15, 2017
Another winner! This one was even better than the last one.
Sophia is a sweet, heroine with a quick temper and a forgiving personality. At first I did not like her. Her temper was so sour I thought she was little better that a spoiled brat. but she quickly improves and makes up for her horrid temper.
The Marquis Damon "Camille" is an enigma. He doesn't do what gentlemen do. He didn't go to war, he doesn't hunt, he doesn't ride horses and he doesn't fight. He stays at home gardening, picking flowers and having his house redone. He plays the harpsichord.
Sophia feels that as he bought her brothers colours for the war, it is his fault her brother has lost his arm. She holds him to be a haughty coward and a viper to boot. Especially after learning of his evolvement in the illegal club, Cobra.
Yet, even knowing what she does, she comes to see the good in him. Perhaps she was mistaken all along? Every chance he gets though, he pushes her away. What is the truth, is he a devil or a gentleman?
This was beautifully done. Often in books where the characters "can't" be together and you finally find out why you think, "well that's a stupid reason!" But in this book, not only did I not guess the truth, but I compleatly understand why the hero was churlish. Eveything was explained and I liked the characters better for it.
Although this didn't focus on adventure, spys and the like as much as others, it was good and does feature the club Cobra, which is a heavy influence towards the end.
I found this really exciting and I'm so glad I have The whole series now, do I go read them all now or savor them? hmmm...
Important note: the jacobite treasure is part of this book, and so if you've read the two series before this that will be of added interest.
I highly recommend this to fans of Veryan!
PG Mention of dueling, mistresses, fistcuffs and torture in its various forms (mental/emotion and physical)But nothing graphic. BTW, some of you won't like that the hero and heroine are related, its only by marriage in some tangled way, but he is her uncle.
Sophia is a sweet, heroine with a quick temper and a forgiving personality. At first I did not like her. Her temper was so sour I thought she was little better that a spoiled brat. but she quickly improves and makes up for her horrid temper.
The Marquis Damon "Camille" is an enigma. He doesn't do what gentlemen do. He didn't go to war, he doesn't hunt, he doesn't ride horses and he doesn't fight. He stays at home gardening, picking flowers and having his house redone. He plays the harpsichord.
Sophia feels that as he bought her brothers colours for the war, it is his fault her brother has lost his arm. She holds him to be a haughty coward and a viper to boot. Especially after learning of his evolvement in the illegal club, Cobra.
Yet, even knowing what she does, she comes to see the good in him. Perhaps she was mistaken all along? Every chance he gets though, he pushes her away. What is the truth, is he a devil or a gentleman?
This was beautifully done. Often in books where the characters "can't" be together and you finally find out why you think, "well that's a stupid reason!" But in this book, not only did I not guess the truth, but I compleatly understand why the hero was churlish. Eveything was explained and I liked the characters better for it.
Although this didn't focus on adventure, spys and the like as much as others, it was good and does feature the club Cobra, which is a heavy influence towards the end.
I found this really exciting and I'm so glad I have The whole series now, do I go read them all now or savor them? hmmm...
Important note: the jacobite treasure is part of this book, and so if you've read the two series before this that will be of added interest.
I highly recommend this to fans of Veryan!
PG Mention of dueling, mistresses, fistcuffs and torture in its various forms (mental/emotion and physical)But nothing graphic. BTW, some of you won't like that the hero and heroine are related, its only by marriage in some tangled way, but he is her uncle.
September 1, 2022
What a delight! I thought the previous part of the series was the most enjoyable time. But this one was even better. Funnier (the scene e.g. when Stephen helped Genevieve into the horse, or "cooking disaster", or with drunk Thompson, and the goose Horacio! - I was laughing out loud), more romantic (not only considering the main couple, but also secondary ones, and those from the past), mystery, action, and twists, all was wonderfully thrilling.
Yes, I was sometimes a bit lost with all those family connections and I don't like the eavesdropping in the novels (one time - if you must, but when the heroine eavesdrops more than one time, no matter if by accident or on purpose, I am disappointed in the writer). But still, I loved it!
And Damon - I will just sigh and swoon to my heart's content...
Why, oh, why it isn't republished with a better (more appropriate cover)? The whole series should have had better sales than all those supposedly historical romances with "big male characters". I don't get it. I have tried a few historical (written in this century) romances and they can't compare with Patricia Veryan's books. So full of adventure and drama, great heroes, big villains, strong friendships, and splendid romances.
PS I am now a bit anxious because I don't believe the next one could be as good. But I don't want to make a break with the series yet.
Yes, I was sometimes a bit lost with all those family connections and I don't like the eavesdropping in the novels (one time - if you must, but when the heroine eavesdrops more than one time, no matter if by accident or on purpose, I am disappointed in the writer). But still, I loved it!
And Damon - I will just sigh and swoon to my heart's content...
Why, oh, why it isn't republished with a better (more appropriate cover)? The whole series should have had better sales than all those supposedly historical romances with "big male characters". I don't get it. I have tried a few historical (written in this century) romances and they can't compare with Patricia Veryan's books. So full of adventure and drama, great heroes, big villains, strong friendships, and splendid romances.
PS I am now a bit anxious because I don't believe the next one could be as good. But I don't want to make a break with the series yet.
July 2, 2017
Love's Duet is not one of my favorite Veryan's. The first 3/4's of the book was slow moving and was filled with the heroine going back and forth in her mind about the goodness/badness of Camille, the hero. I was not crazy about the goose, either. The last quarter was action packed and very entertaining.
August 25, 2018
If there were more stars to give, this would be a six star book.
For me, this is as close to a perfect book as it gets. Even though the reasons for this are very hard to explain. Even trying to explain the convoluted plot alone has proven a disaster.
I know this kind of book does not work for everyone. And that ghastly cover made me the recipient of some very strange looks. Have you seen the makeup on the lady??? And the colors - just horrid. But this cannot diminish my adoration ;-)
The story is similar to „Some brief folly“ as in both books the heroine falls in love against her will, with someone who is not at all the kind of man she thought she’d chose - but of course that is only the facade, and her heart just knows that the hero is ... a hero.
I love both of those books, so apparently this kind of constellation is my jam. The main characters of the two stories are very different though, and I adore them equally.
I love that both Sophia and Camille have a temper, and that they fight, and that their humor gets in the way of things. The dialogue between those two just glows!
I do not remember my reaction to this story when I read it for the first time. But it seems to me that it improves with each reading. Knowing what lies behind Cam‘s words and actions makes for such sweet agony.
There are so many heart wrenchingly beautiful moments in this book - and some of the saddest. Sniff.
As always Veryan shines with an amazing cast of side characters, complicated family dynamics to despair about and friendships to make you weep with envy. There are not one, but two secondary romances taking place.
Horatio the goose brings some much needed lightness into an otherwise rather grim tale.
This is all so inadequate. How to put into words what this book does to my innards? While reading it I am in a constant state of deepest worry for the good guys, interspersed with ridiculous feelings of giddy happiness. It is all about the feels, and no intrusion of reality is allowed. This is a fantasy world where BRAVERY and LOVE and LOYALTY and HONOR rule, and not the small and normal rules of everyday life.
For me, this is as close to a perfect book as it gets. Even though the reasons for this are very hard to explain. Even trying to explain the convoluted plot alone has proven a disaster.
I know this kind of book does not work for everyone. And that ghastly cover made me the recipient of some very strange looks. Have you seen the makeup on the lady??? And the colors - just horrid. But this cannot diminish my adoration ;-)
The story is similar to „Some brief folly“ as in both books the heroine falls in love against her will, with someone who is not at all the kind of man she thought she’d chose - but of course that is only the facade, and her heart just knows that the hero is ... a hero.
I love both of those books, so apparently this kind of constellation is my jam. The main characters of the two stories are very different though, and I adore them equally.
I love that both Sophia and Camille have a temper, and that they fight, and that their humor gets in the way of things. The dialogue between those two just glows!
I do not remember my reaction to this story when I read it for the first time. But it seems to me that it improves with each reading. Knowing what lies behind Cam‘s words and actions makes for such sweet agony.
There are so many heart wrenchingly beautiful moments in this book - and some of the saddest. Sniff.
As always Veryan shines with an amazing cast of side characters, complicated family dynamics to despair about and friendships to make you weep with envy. There are not one, but two secondary romances taking place.
Horatio the goose brings some much needed lightness into an otherwise rather grim tale.
This is all so inadequate. How to put into words what this book does to my innards? While reading it I am in a constant state of deepest worry for the good guys, interspersed with ridiculous feelings of giddy happiness. It is all about the feels, and no intrusion of reality is allowed. This is a fantasy world where BRAVERY and LOVE and LOYALTY and HONOR rule, and not the small and normal rules of everyday life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2015
Wow. This cover is definitely atrocious! I looked at it as little as possible since it bears little resemblance to the characters or the possible decor of the time, and it made me want to vomit. However, the vivacious Sophia and the very flawed-but-noble Camille more than made up for the artistic horrors displayed on the front. I can't help but love the icy hauteur of Camille's father the Duke of Vaille, so his prominence in the story was welcome; and the rest of the cast, including the feathered fowl Horatio, was splendidly done.
October 20, 2012
I could read this book over and over again. It is so fantastic. Ms. Veryan thrills again with this tale of love, lies, honor, and treachery. Okay, yes that has been used before and might sound cliched, but believe me, this book is not your same old sappy love story. Add in exploding chickens, custard soufflee, and a guard goose named Horatio and you've got yourself a winner with this one.
September 26, 2013
I love all of Veryan's work, but this is one of her best. Camille Damon is a charming, tortured hero, and his pet goose is hysterical.
July 5, 2020
I dont mind misunderstandings as long as they occur in the beginning, before the romance culminates, and don't happen multiple times after (I'm looking at you Korean dramas). The issue I had was that this one went on for a good 65% of the story with very vague reasoning behind it. That and the judgemental nature of the heroine were the only things I could have done with less of.
Camille was an excellent hero, and I think could really be a prototype for a more modern historical romance where we spend more time in the hero's head. I do wonder how he got "those thighs" when he didn't ride horses or fence though...
Camille was an excellent hero, and I think could really be a prototype for a more modern historical romance where we spend more time in the hero's head. I do wonder how he got "those thighs" when he didn't ride horses or fence though...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2025
I was unable to put this book down once I began. Although the early chapters were frustrating I now see the built up anger and vengeance are what might be expected in the nonfictional society of the period. With each book I am more amazed and appreciative of the skill the author has in creating tension, drama and even suspense and fear in her adventurous tales. As with every book of this series I’ve read I was entertained to the very last page..
September 15, 2022
Get a piece of paper and write down the characters and a little description next to them. If I had done that before I started this book I would have given it four stars. It was so confusing. Still a great story, but I couldn’t figure out what he saw in her.
December 19, 2020
Still a 2-star. Very confusing re the character's names. One character is called: Marcus, Clay, Major, cousin, and his title, all in the same chapter and some in the same paragraph by the same person. Also, the Duke is repeatedly call "Duke" as if a name. Previous historical reading has lead me to believe dukes are called "your grace" and the title is not used as a name.
The main female character is erratic, hysterical, at times violent, prone to make judgements based on no evidence and her interpretation of conversations she eavesdrops on repeatedly, and cowardly as she often plans her actions to be protected by others against the person she wrongs.
Altogether not my favorite "Veryan" book.
The main female character is erratic, hysterical, at times violent, prone to make judgements based on no evidence and her interpretation of conversations she eavesdrops on repeatedly, and cowardly as she often plans her actions to be protected by others against the person she wrongs.
Altogether not my favorite "Veryan" book.
April 3, 2015
One of the more unusual story lines I've ever read. There were times when I was having difficulty keeping up with the multitude of characters in this almost near gothic. But I have to agree, the pet goose Horatio steals the whole show.
February 27, 2012
Far too many plot strands with far too many gaps in logic. Not as strong as Veryan's other works.
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April 2, 2010LOVE'S DUET (Coventry Series No. 46) by Patricia Veryan (1988)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews