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The Duke's Alliance #1
A Suitable Bride
The Duke's Alliance Series
Book One: A Suitable Bride
Lord Bennett Sheldon, heir to his brother, The Duke of Silchester, is shocked to discover his profligate father had, before his death, depleted the family coffers by his gambling. Bennett, who resigned his commission on becoming his brother’s heir, decides that it is his role to save the family by finding himself a suitable bride.
The duke reluctantly agrees to this plan and his younger sister, Lady Madeline, is thrilled to arrange a grand house party to which a selection of eligible young ladies is invited. Beau, the duke, is adamant that Bennett will only marry a girl with an impeccable pedigree as well as a vast fortune.
Miss Grace DuPont has no wish to marry; she prefers to run her stud and take care of her beloved horses. However, her father is determined to gain entrance to the drawing rooms of the ton and believes his wealth and Grace’s beauty will be enough to attract an aristocratic suitor.
Mr DuPont blackmails Lord Peabody into including Grace in the invitation to the house party but she will have to masquerade as member of Society and Lady Peabody’s goddaughter. She is forced to obey her father and, with her stallion, her three dogs and her companion, sets out for Silchester Court. Her intention is to remain in the background, for if her true identity is disclosed she will be evicted.
Grace and Bennett are drawn to each other but she knows when he discovers who she is he will be disgusted. If he marries her he will lose his position in the family and be banished from Silchester Court. Can this dilemma be resolved or will Grace be left broken hearted?
Book One: A Suitable Bride
Lord Bennett Sheldon, heir to his brother, The Duke of Silchester, is shocked to discover his profligate father had, before his death, depleted the family coffers by his gambling. Bennett, who resigned his commission on becoming his brother’s heir, decides that it is his role to save the family by finding himself a suitable bride.
The duke reluctantly agrees to this plan and his younger sister, Lady Madeline, is thrilled to arrange a grand house party to which a selection of eligible young ladies is invited. Beau, the duke, is adamant that Bennett will only marry a girl with an impeccable pedigree as well as a vast fortune.
Miss Grace DuPont has no wish to marry; she prefers to run her stud and take care of her beloved horses. However, her father is determined to gain entrance to the drawing rooms of the ton and believes his wealth and Grace’s beauty will be enough to attract an aristocratic suitor.
Mr DuPont blackmails Lord Peabody into including Grace in the invitation to the house party but she will have to masquerade as member of Society and Lady Peabody’s goddaughter. She is forced to obey her father and, with her stallion, her three dogs and her companion, sets out for Silchester Court. Her intention is to remain in the background, for if her true identity is disclosed she will be evicted.
Grace and Bennett are drawn to each other but she knows when he discovers who she is he will be disgusted. If he marries her he will lose his position in the family and be banished from Silchester Court. Can this dilemma be resolved or will Grace be left broken hearted?
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2016
282 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Fenella J. Miller
151 books150 followersFenella Jane Miller was born in the Isle of Man. Her father was a Yorkshire man and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker, hotelier, chef, secondary and primary teacher and is now a full time writer.
She has over twenty five Regency romantic adventures published plus one Jane Austen re-telling and one YA romantic fantasy.
see also Fenella-Jane Miller
She has over twenty five Regency romantic adventures published plus one Jane Austen re-telling and one YA romantic fantasy.
see also Fenella-Jane Miller
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 27, 2017
It takes a lot for me to really hate a story - and to be honest GR ratings don’t give a wide enough scope for ratings. I rate a fair amount of books as 1 star because ‘I don’t like’ them but I really hated this.
The main reason? There was not ONE worthy, decent, redeemable character in the story (not among the main ones anyway)
It’s a common enough trope: A wealthy heiress looking to marry a member of the nobility to gain access to the ‘ton’, and impoverished nobility on their uppers frantically searching for some poor sod of a wealthy heiress to marry and relive of her dowry so they can live in the lap of luxury.
We are introduced to Lord Sheldon, brother to the Duke of Silchester, who declares: “I shall find myself an heiress – one of us must become leg-shackled and start filling their nursery.”
And then we have the heroine, Grace, complete with abusive father and unloving mother, and her superb, (Mary-Sueish) ability with horses (dear lord I rolled my eyes) Grace’s father wheedles an invite to the forthcoming house party where Bennett (Lord of Silchester) hopes to find a wife.
But then it all falls to pieces for me.
Someone reveals that Bennett is looking to marry for money (though who did the revealing was never explained) and Grace DuPont arrives at Silchester Court (Bennett’s home) complete with her three dogs and her 16 hands chestnut stallion –Rufus– that only she seems able to handle. (rolls eyes again)
When Grace arrives at the Court, her dogs leap out of the carriage and knock Bennett to the ground and then Grace behaves like a fishwife - poking Bennett in the chest because he refuses to have her badly behaved dogs in the house.
THEN ‘half a ton of angry stallion’ hits him from behind, knocking him into Grace who is knocked unconscious. Okay. I can cope with Bennetts surge of guilt and his demands that she is taken into the house, etc, etc
But this also happens: ‘A terrified groom appeared from behind the carriage, his face blood-streaked and one arm hanging uselessly by his side.’
And nobody does anything. We are subjected to pages and pages of Grace and her cut head and the way everyone nauseatingly fusses over her. And not one thought for the groom (he apparently had his arm set by one of the other grooms, despite Bennett having sent for the doctor to attend to Grace) and it was at that point that I wondered whether there were any redeeming features to any of the main characters in this book.
I read on, hoping for something that would prove me wrong, but it was not to be. Grace and Bennett were shallow, selfish and rude. Grace has no thought for anyone else and was utterly, utterly vain and shallow as well as being accomplished in virtually every activity going - cricket, bare-back horse riding without bridle or reins on a 16 hand stallion, a virtuoso piano player…. etc etc. As I said. Mary Sue.
In the end I gave up. I can’t remember the last time I read a book with two such selfish, greedy, unlikeable snobs and as far as I am concerned they are welcome to each other.
The main reason? There was not ONE worthy, decent, redeemable character in the story (not among the main ones anyway)
It’s a common enough trope: A wealthy heiress looking to marry a member of the nobility to gain access to the ‘ton’, and impoverished nobility on their uppers frantically searching for some poor sod of a wealthy heiress to marry and relive of her dowry so they can live in the lap of luxury.
We are introduced to Lord Sheldon, brother to the Duke of Silchester, who declares: “I shall find myself an heiress – one of us must become leg-shackled and start filling their nursery.”
And then we have the heroine, Grace, complete with abusive father and unloving mother, and her superb, (Mary-Sueish) ability with horses (dear lord I rolled my eyes) Grace’s father wheedles an invite to the forthcoming house party where Bennett (Lord of Silchester) hopes to find a wife.
But then it all falls to pieces for me.
Someone reveals that Bennett is looking to marry for money (though who did the revealing was never explained) and Grace DuPont arrives at Silchester Court (Bennett’s home) complete with her three dogs and her 16 hands chestnut stallion –Rufus– that only she seems able to handle. (rolls eyes again)
When Grace arrives at the Court, her dogs leap out of the carriage and knock Bennett to the ground and then Grace behaves like a fishwife - poking Bennett in the chest because he refuses to have her badly behaved dogs in the house.
THEN ‘half a ton of angry stallion’ hits him from behind, knocking him into Grace who is knocked unconscious. Okay. I can cope with Bennetts surge of guilt and his demands that she is taken into the house, etc, etc
But this also happens: ‘A terrified groom appeared from behind the carriage, his face blood-streaked and one arm hanging uselessly by his side.’
And nobody does anything. We are subjected to pages and pages of Grace and her cut head and the way everyone nauseatingly fusses over her. And not one thought for the groom (he apparently had his arm set by one of the other grooms, despite Bennett having sent for the doctor to attend to Grace) and it was at that point that I wondered whether there were any redeeming features to any of the main characters in this book.
I read on, hoping for something that would prove me wrong, but it was not to be. Grace and Bennett were shallow, selfish and rude. Grace has no thought for anyone else and was utterly, utterly vain and shallow as well as being accomplished in virtually every activity going - cricket, bare-back horse riding without bridle or reins on a 16 hand stallion, a virtuoso piano player…. etc etc. As I said. Mary Sue.
In the end I gave up. I can’t remember the last time I read a book with two such selfish, greedy, unlikeable snobs and as far as I am concerned they are welcome to each other.
July 9, 2018
I have been meaning to read more of this authors work, but just haven't got round to it. With the Kindle freebies challenge for COYER I have managed to get round to this one.
Bennet needs to marry in order to help fill the family purse. Grace is forced by her farther to attend a house party and to find an aristocratic husband in Bennet, the only issue is that Grace is a commoner, even with her considerable dowry.
I found the ending a little too backwards and forwards, it would have been better to delay the heroine and hero getting together and add more plot.
Bennet needs to marry in order to help fill the family purse. Grace is forced by her farther to attend a house party and to find an aristocratic husband in Bennet, the only issue is that Grace is a commoner, even with her considerable dowry.
I found the ending a little too backwards and forwards, it would have been better to delay the heroine and hero getting together and add more plot.
May 21, 2025
This started out okay, but got progressively worse and worse.
The FMC is an absolute Mary Sue. Is there a historical romance equivalent of a Mary Sue? She may not be gentry, but she’s as well educated, mannered, and rich—actually richer—than any of them and she doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her… except when she does and repeatedly breaks off her engagement with the Duke’s younger brother and heir, the MMC.
The MMC keeps wanting to anticipate their vows, but when they finally do the deed it’s closed door, fade to black—what was the point of all the tension then?!
The Duke bounces back and forth between approving of his brother’s poor match one moment, and going behind the MMCs back to talk the FMC into breaking off their engagement the next.
The FMW runs away with not nearly enough money to keep herself, her companion, and her household staff of 3-4 people yet somehow finds a house for let that just happens to be available, have stocks of hay all ready for her horse, and an ample kitchen garden in the very first town they decide to stop at.
The MMC gets shot in what is described as an assassination attempt, but has absolutely zero cause or motive whatsoever. Oh and he is completely fine and doesn’t have the slightest hint of fever or infection after.
1⭐️ (2 stars for the decent grammar, minus 1 star for how annoyed I felt all over again writing this review)
The FMC is an absolute Mary Sue. Is there a historical romance equivalent of a Mary Sue? She may not be gentry, but she’s as well educated, mannered, and rich—actually richer—than any of them and she doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her… except when she does and repeatedly breaks off her engagement with the Duke’s younger brother and heir, the MMC.
The MMC keeps wanting to anticipate their vows, but when they finally do the deed it’s closed door, fade to black—what was the point of all the tension then?!
The Duke bounces back and forth between approving of his brother’s poor match one moment, and going behind the MMCs back to talk the FMC into breaking off their engagement the next.
The FMW runs away with not nearly enough money to keep herself, her companion, and her household staff of 3-4 people yet somehow finds a house for let that just happens to be available, have stocks of hay all ready for her horse, and an ample kitchen garden in the very first town they decide to stop at.
The MMC gets shot in what is described as an assassination attempt, but has absolutely zero cause or motive whatsoever. Oh and he is completely fine and doesn’t have the slightest hint of fever or infection after.
1⭐️ (2 stars for the decent grammar, minus 1 star for how annoyed I felt all over again writing this review)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2016
I give 2 stars when I don't recommend a book due to morally questionable content, but the writing itself isn't horrible.
The following is the progression of my reactions as I read this Regency Era story. At the end I include a summary of questionable content that may concern parents and others like myself who prefer cleaner reads than this.
I would have liked a more compelling introduction. It started a little on the slow side, and I noticed punctuation and grammar issues right away. However, it didn't take long before I was pulled in, hook, line, and sinker, and I was willing to set aside the externals for the sake of the story. I also thought perhaps grammar and punctuation rules are different in the US and UK, so I should withhold judgment on that.
I found it to be an amusing story (not on the same level as the classics, but enjoyable nonetheless). I especially liked the horses. I have a soft spot for stories that include those beautiful beasts, and they held a prominent role in this one.
Some of the dialogue seemed a bit unnatural and contrived. Some aspects didn't seem true to history or human nature, especially male nature. However, I understand that people like to read stories that give them a break from reality, so I felt I could give it a pass in that regard.
During the stage in which the main family is planning the house party, I thought, "Bummer. It is too bad I am not rich or genteel enough to be invited to this house party because, man, does it sound fun!" Cricket, treasure hunts, and horse racing? What's not to like?
I really enjoyed the story through the first days of the house party. All sorts of unexpected things happened from the moment the main character arrived. At first I enjoyed the love story, eager to see what would happen next in her weirdly blossoming relationship with the guy she ends up liking. I had a hard time putting the book down to go to sleep, and I ended up staying awake entirely too late.
SPOILER: I could understand the main character's initial distaste for her future love interest because he was really trying to force his hand on her instead of respecting her. He did so throughout the entire book. It ticked me off a little. I suppose some people fall for jerks because of their good looks, but that is supposed to be before discovering their jerkiness, not after. It was inevitable that she would fall for him eventually though because she didn't make an ounce of effort with any other guys. Maybe the author could have thrown some of that in to keep the reader guessing.
Violence and Gore: A stallion attacks, and a few people are injured. A head wound is sewn up. A man punches another man in the nose. He punches someone else in the nose later. A man shoots another man with a gun.
Sexual Content: Make-out sessions with too much description of body contact. Discussion of sex by an unmarried couple. Sexual feelings are described. A few close calls with temptation. Premarital sex happens; however, the deed itself is not described. The lead-up is described though, and it is more than enough to get the reader's imagination going in the wrong direction if not careful.
I was really bummed by the sexual content. It is not what I want my kids to read. Or me. I thought this was going to be one of the books I would reread every so often, that is, until I came to the sexual stuff. SPOILER: The male half of the couple was a scoundrel in my opinion, and I would not want my daughters to be charmed by someone who had so little respect for her virtue. There was one moment when he ran away from temptation, and I thought he had redeemed himself, but he completely undid himself in the end. Blagh.
DISCLOSURE:
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The following is the progression of my reactions as I read this Regency Era story. At the end I include a summary of questionable content that may concern parents and others like myself who prefer cleaner reads than this.
I would have liked a more compelling introduction. It started a little on the slow side, and I noticed punctuation and grammar issues right away. However, it didn't take long before I was pulled in, hook, line, and sinker, and I was willing to set aside the externals for the sake of the story. I also thought perhaps grammar and punctuation rules are different in the US and UK, so I should withhold judgment on that.
I found it to be an amusing story (not on the same level as the classics, but enjoyable nonetheless). I especially liked the horses. I have a soft spot for stories that include those beautiful beasts, and they held a prominent role in this one.
Some of the dialogue seemed a bit unnatural and contrived. Some aspects didn't seem true to history or human nature, especially male nature. However, I understand that people like to read stories that give them a break from reality, so I felt I could give it a pass in that regard.
During the stage in which the main family is planning the house party, I thought, "Bummer. It is too bad I am not rich or genteel enough to be invited to this house party because, man, does it sound fun!" Cricket, treasure hunts, and horse racing? What's not to like?
I really enjoyed the story through the first days of the house party. All sorts of unexpected things happened from the moment the main character arrived. At first I enjoyed the love story, eager to see what would happen next in her weirdly blossoming relationship with the guy she ends up liking. I had a hard time putting the book down to go to sleep, and I ended up staying awake entirely too late.
SPOILER: I could understand the main character's initial distaste for her future love interest because he was really trying to force his hand on her instead of respecting her. He did so throughout the entire book. It ticked me off a little. I suppose some people fall for jerks because of their good looks, but that is supposed to be before discovering their jerkiness, not after. It was inevitable that she would fall for him eventually though because she didn't make an ounce of effort with any other guys. Maybe the author could have thrown some of that in to keep the reader guessing.
Violence and Gore: A stallion attacks, and a few people are injured. A head wound is sewn up. A man punches another man in the nose. He punches someone else in the nose later. A man shoots another man with a gun.
Sexual Content: Make-out sessions with too much description of body contact. Discussion of sex by an unmarried couple. Sexual feelings are described. A few close calls with temptation. Premarital sex happens; however, the deed itself is not described. The lead-up is described though, and it is more than enough to get the reader's imagination going in the wrong direction if not careful.
I was really bummed by the sexual content. It is not what I want my kids to read. Or me. I thought this was going to be one of the books I would reread every so often, that is, until I came to the sexual stuff. SPOILER: The male half of the couple was a scoundrel in my opinion, and I would not want my daughters to be charmed by someone who had so little respect for her virtue. There was one moment when he ran away from temptation, and I thought he had redeemed himself, but he completely undid himself in the end. Blagh.
DISCLOSURE:
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
July 28, 2025
awful
As a regency avid reader, I find this book awful! Not sure how it’s a romance book when 60%into the book the main characters had only had few interactions with minimal words spoken between them. No romance whatsoever so ever and then he call her my love?? Out of nowhere… then he she he loves her ? What’s?? This book is just full of a lot of unfortunate events brought by the female character which in fact proved her lover pedigree… don’t get me wrong she was sassy which I love in a female character but she was ridiculous improper all the time.
I didn’t feel the connection between the main characters whatsoever… a feel if there where meaningful interaction with them, deep talk, conversations and romantic gestures- it would have been better. First book I read from this author and the last.
As a regency avid reader, I find this book awful! Not sure how it’s a romance book when 60%into the book the main characters had only had few interactions with minimal words spoken between them. No romance whatsoever so ever and then he call her my love?? Out of nowhere… then he she he loves her ? What’s?? This book is just full of a lot of unfortunate events brought by the female character which in fact proved her lover pedigree… don’t get me wrong she was sassy which I love in a female character but she was ridiculous improper all the time.
I didn’t feel the connection between the main characters whatsoever… a feel if there where meaningful interaction with them, deep talk, conversations and romantic gestures- it would have been better. First book I read from this author and the last.
June 29, 2018
Charming Romance - 5 Stars
A Suitable Bride is the story of a highly independent woman, Grace, who has a fortune but no "blue blood". It was easy to like Grace and to emphasize with the predicament she found herself in; that of being a guest at a house party where she was forced to hide her origins. She has no intention of marrying into a ducal family and spending her married life being snubbed by the aristocracy, as being beneath them and instead has a plan to live independently. But she doesn't count on falling in love! This was a charming story which I thoroughly enjoyed. This is the first book I have read of Ms Miller but I don't think it will be the last.
A Suitable Bride is the story of a highly independent woman, Grace, who has a fortune but no "blue blood". It was easy to like Grace and to emphasize with the predicament she found herself in; that of being a guest at a house party where she was forced to hide her origins. She has no intention of marrying into a ducal family and spending her married life being snubbed by the aristocracy, as being beneath them and instead has a plan to live independently. But she doesn't count on falling in love! This was a charming story which I thoroughly enjoyed. This is the first book I have read of Ms Miller but I don't think it will be the last.
May 28, 2019
Fun book to read
This was a great book with lots of adventure. I really liked Grace and how she wasn't afraid to be herself. I loved all the horses. I also loved the dogs they sounded so cute and loveable.
It was a story that kept your attention and you want to keep reading to see how it ends. I like Bennett and that he fights for what he wants and doesn't give up.
I very much enjoyed this book
This was a great book with lots of adventure. I really liked Grace and how she wasn't afraid to be herself. I loved all the horses. I also loved the dogs they sounded so cute and loveable.
It was a story that kept your attention and you want to keep reading to see how it ends. I like Bennett and that he fights for what he wants and doesn't give up.
I very much enjoyed this book
December 30, 2025
The book was short and will help me meet my 2025
Reading goal. Other than that, there wasn’t too much more I got out of it. It was a typical storyline of boy meets girl - one needs money and the other has it. Many plot lines just did not make sense so I was left feeling very confused as to how events transpired. Regardless, it was quick and easy to read and that is what I was looking for!
Reading goal. Other than that, there wasn’t too much more I got out of it. It was a typical storyline of boy meets girl - one needs money and the other has it. Many plot lines just did not make sense so I was left feeling very confused as to how events transpired. Regardless, it was quick and easy to read and that is what I was looking for!
May 7, 2018
Annoying heroine
I read the first 10 chapters and then couldn’t force myself to read more. Grace, the heroine, was so annoying. I couldn’t like her. Since I couldn’t like her, I had very little interest in finishing the story.
I read the first 10 chapters and then couldn’t force myself to read more. Grace, the heroine, was so annoying. I couldn’t like her. Since I couldn’t like her, I had very little interest in finishing the story.
April 13, 2018
A Suitable Bride
A wealthy young lady who was not a peer was invited to a house party where she fell in love with the dude's brother. After many trials love won out in the end.
A wealthy young lady who was not a peer was invited to a house party where she fell in love with the dude's brother. After many trials love won out in the end.
May 10, 2018
Enjoyable
I don't usually. Read romantic books. I do like historical novels
This was a very good story
I was surprised I will venture to read some agsin
I don't usually. Read romantic books. I do like historical novels
This was a very good story
I was surprised I will venture to read some agsin
September 2, 2018
All her books are basically the same.
May 4, 2025
loved it
July 11, 2025
other than an excessively fast turnaround from enemies to lovers it was okay.
August 24, 2025
Omg
This must be one of the worst written stories of all time. Whilst the plot idea was ok the dialogue etc was dreadful.
This must be one of the worst written stories of all time. Whilst the plot idea was ok the dialogue etc was dreadful.
February 5, 2016
This was REALLY enjoyable and fun to read. Excellent story and characters - and can't wait for the next book in this series. I was in two minds about rating this novel.....4 or 5 stars. I settled on 4* - only because the ending was a little abrupt, imo. Apart from that, I truly loved reading it.
January 24, 2017
I really enjoyed the story and thought the characters were likable, I definitely recommend this book if you're a fan of historical romance but want it more sweet less steamy. I recieved a copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2025
needed an escape. A Suitable Bride is a well written, well edited book with plot twists and the HEA. Including horses and rescue dogs to the plot added extra appeal.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews