The Marquess of Secrets

The Hornsby Brothers #3

by Karyn Gerrard

For years Harrison Hornsby, Marquess of Tennington, heir to the Duke of Gransford, has been a scandalous rake. Unbeknownst to all he’d been leading an entirely different and secret life as physician to the poor. Though his younger brothers held out for true love, as the heir, Harrison feels he doesn’t have that luxury. The time has come to marry an appropriate bride. One who in society’s eyes is worthy to become a duchess. But fate has other plans. Life for Lydia Chesterton has not been kind. Once a respected nurse at a London hospital, she is alone and homeless due to disastrous decisions with regard to love and trust. Living on the streets and deathly ill, Lydia finds temporary sanctuary with Harrison. Her rescuer is hard to resist especially when he proposes a trade of secrets. With her dangerous past threatening her future, and Harrison bound by duty, a lasting love appears to be out of reach unless they toss aside all obstacles and risk their hearts.

Genres: Historical, Romance, Historical Romance

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2019

About the author

I no longer come to Goodreads, so there will be no updates by me on this profile.

For further information on my books, check out my site here: http://karyngerrard.com/

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read about the first two brothers I was anxious to read about the older brother. I wasn’t disappointed. The Hornsby family were unusual for the aristocracy of the time, some referred to them as eccentric. They had a deep social conscious and provided money to a variety of causes. Harrison Hornsby, Marquess of Tennington and heir to the Duke was no exception. He led a secret life as a doctor to the destitute. Harrison was an honourable and caring man, who had a strong sense of duty and has decided to marry a suitable woman for a future duchess. As a result of his work, he comes across Lydia Chesterton, a nurse who has fallen on hard times through unfortunate circumstances. They have an attraction for each other but their social standings are not compatible. Also, Lydia has secrets that may affect Harrison’s view of her. This was such a captivating read, I enjoyed the connection with the Wollstonecraft family. I received a copy via EBooks Discovery and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Although I have bought my own copy.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrison Hornsby, Marquess of Tennington, has cultivated a reputation as a dissolute rake to hide the truth of where he actually spends his nights. He's really a trained physician but can't practice openly due to his status so he runs an underground clinic for the destitute. Even though his family doesn't pressure him, he feels his obligations as heir to his father's dukedom and thinks it's time he settled down and found a lady of the peerage for his wife. His brothers both chose unconventional brides for love but Harrison feels he cannot do the same. Until the arrival of a sick but clearly beautiful woman at his clinic has him reconsidering. He knows she has secrets and he wants to know them and possibly find out if the attraction he feels is mutual.

Lydia Chesterton was a respected nurse at St. Thomas Hospital but now finds herself homeless after putting her faith and what she thought was love in the wrong man. She finds sanctuary with Harrison and opens up to him when he reveals his own secrets. But dangers from Lydia's past still threaten and Harrison has his own duties so their attraction will likely never get off the ground unless they both decide to take a true risk.

This was a good read. It was solidly entertaining and having a hero who's unconventional and falls hard and first for the heroine made it a bit different as well and I enjoyed it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

For years Harrison Hornsby, Marquis of Tennington, heir to the Duke of Gransford, has been a scandalous rake or so everyone thinks however unbeknownst to all he’d been leading an entirely different and secret life as physician to the poor. Though his younger brothers held out for true love, as the heir, Harrison feels he doesn’t have that luxury. The time has come to marry an appropriate bride. One who in society’s eyes is worthy to become a duchess. Life for Lydia Chesterton has not been kind. Once a respected nurse at St Thomas’ hospital in London, she is now alone and homeless due to disastrous decisions with regard to love and trust. Living on the streets and deathly ill, Lydia finds temporary sanctuary at the clinic run by Dr Damian.
There is an instant attraction between Harrison & Lydia but their stations in life couldn't be further apart. Strong characters & a well written well paced story had me hooked from the start. A lovely combination of secrets, societal differences & of course romance. I love it when characters from other series make an appearance so it was lovely for the Wolstonecrafts to appear years after their stories. I would have liked to have known the fate of the villain but apart from that a very satisfying read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Eleni · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read

An entertaining read in this series with strong characters and a compelling plot. Recommended for fans of the genre and the series.

[Martha B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a nurse, Lydia Chesterton should have known better. Her widowed schoolmaster father had taught her better. Then her father died and she was alone and vulnerable. So much happens when one is lonely and alone. And happen it did. In spades. Now she's on the streets, but soon she will be face a life altering choice.

As a peer, but also as a physician, Harrison Hornsby, the Marquess of Tennington has been living two lives. One known to his peers, his friends and his family. The other, only know to a close few. Soon, he will be forced to disclose his secret and make a life altering choice.

When I receive a book to read and review, I am always grateful when it is even halfway good. As I began reading The Marquess of Secrets by Karyn Gerrard, I not only found myself engrossed in the story and enthralled with the characters, I also was surprised to realize I had just read through the afternoon and well into the night. That only happens when I find a book a truly love.

The Marquess of Secrets has it all. A heart twisting story, warm and believable characters, delightful supporting characters, proportionate dialogue to description, and a truly happy ending with an epilogue.

Content alert: This stand-alone novel contains a moderate amount of swearing and some moderately descriptive sexually intimate scenes. It also contains the aftermath of abuse.

FYI: I also posted my review on Amazon (as Rural Reader) and BookBub. This book also made my 5 star favorites on my Pinterest page (https://www.pinterest.com/marthajane6...).

Disclosure: I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

London 1882 "Eccentric." Everyone thought Harrison and his family were eccentric. When really he only wanted to continue to practice medicine and help the poor. But now, he felt his duties closing in as heir to the dukedom and he needed to marry and take a respectable wife. Love? No, he did not expect that or much, but he would do his duty. He wanted to continue his duties as a doctor, although nobody knew what he was doing at night or when he slipped away.
Lydia Chesterton was on the run and ill. She had been living on the streets for a few days but heard of a place to get a meal and take shelter. Making it there she was aided by a nun and a Dr. Damian or Harrison. She was very ill and he recognized she was not just a homeless person, but had education and her clothes, though ragged looked of quality. She actually had been a nurse befoe getting caught up with a terrible situation and man who was hunting her.
But fate has a way of bringing two people together in the most unusual circumstances and Lydia could not help but be attracted to the Dr.
Can these two ever be together and will Lydia be able to escape her secrets? What will happen when Harrison comes out to declare who he is and will duty keep them apart?
This was a well written story that kept me guessing and anxious to find out all that had happened to Lydia. The characters were well rounded and made my heart tug for them. I loved Harrison for his good heart and protectiveness and could only hope he would follow his heart. I highly recommend!

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Victorian England, this novel brings some interesting comments regarding the era into focus. Times were already changing with the industrial revolution, but the altitudes of the aristocracy were taking longer to evolve. Whilst it was quite respectable to drink, gamble and generally indulge oneself, reaching out as a physician to the poor was quite beyond the pale. Thus Harrison hid behind a facade of self-indulgence in order to practice medicine in some of the worst parts of London to the poorest of society. Finding Lydia among the night's intake of patients, Harrison knows that she doesn't belong there, but when she disappears he despairs of finding her. A chance encounter brings them back together again, and Harrison is forced to search deep within himself to determine whether he is going to obey the rules of society or follow his heart. The story is suspenseful, emotive and heart-rending. One would like to think that the conditions Harrison encountered on the streets of London no longer exist. Sadly, that is not the case. Well written and romantic, this book comes to a happy conclusion with a warm-hearted hero and an incredibly brave woman. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[Danielle Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different type of Regency romance. It's a time when trains have come to England, making it easier to traverse the country. It's about a nobleman living a secret life as a physician, when doctoring was considered a middle class, and a middle class women falling on desperate times. Have you ever met a soul that drew you in and wanted to be around? They are perfect in every way, except they would never fit in your society. The fact is you don't fit in your society. This story covers those issues and how you may overcome them. It also helps if your family supports you. Harrison and Lydia are of one mind and heart, time will heal her battered soul, but love will put it back together. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this book and this is my honest review.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the twist in the plot of of this story. This is a Regency romance where the wealthy titled guy has a hidden passion and the poor working girl is trying to escape an unsavoury suitor. I must admit, some of the challenges faced by both Harrison and Lydia are quite unique. As such, I think I enjoyed the situations described and dialogue even more. Characters from the previous two novels do appear- but are introduced with some backstory so I could understand their situations. Maintaining your integrity while following your heart felt like the key themes as both Harrison and Lydia try to gain acceptance following errors in their past. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Irene S · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started out well with Harrison secretly treating people who could not afford care in a secret clinic. Lydia, sick with pneumonia, catches the eye of Harrison. Weeks after Lydia leaves the clinic, Harrison discovers her sicker than ever hiding in an alley. I received a free copy of this book from eBook Discovery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. Since Harrison knew the circumstances that caused Lydia to fall on hard times, I didn't think it was right for Harrison to ask Lydia to have an affair with him. Even though he quickly regretted asking her, I didn't like that it was being asked by a man with power over her. I didn't like their relationship since Lydia was too vulnerable.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story!!! It';s different from other historical romances I have read lately and a great well written story. The plot is intriguing with some suspense, mystery, danger and passion. I love Lydia and Harrison are so great for each other. She was a well respected nurse who made some poor decisions. He is heir to a Duke that is also known as Dr. Damian and lives a hidden life. These two unconventional characters are unlikely partners meet and there is something about the other that leaves a lasting impression. Such a great romantic story with twists and turns that kept me intrigued and hooked until the very end.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the The Hornsby Brothers series by an Author I have not read before I found this to be a well written book. Harrison Hornsby, Marquess of Tennington, heir to the Duke of Gransford meets Lydia Chesterton who was once a well respected nurse. Their story held my interest throughout, a book I enjoyed reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an entertaining and solidly written story of a young nurse and the Marquis of Tennington. The characters are a bit different so made this story feel fresh and new the author did a great job. There meeting was interesting and I loved reading their story. I highly recommend!! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Victorian romance that clearly illustrates the changing norms in society.
A strong story line based on the evolution of medical care.
And lust....do not forget the lust!
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. This is my honest review.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good story. So enticing, I had to stay up late to finish it. I received an ARC of this book.

[Stacey Noble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predicable

If you had read books 1 & 2, you would already know this one would go the same way. Each book followed the same type of story line.

[Camila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series, Spence is Still my favourite. Looking forward to keep reading Karyn.

[cyndi l. reaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book!!

I wish more books were written like this and I hope during that period of time people realized how important healthcare is and applied it accordingly.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A secret
A very informative book of a peer who has trained and studied to be a doctor and must hide his profession. Working in disguise, he meets a very sick and destitute young woman with her own secrets. An immediate attraction is present, but cautious in response. Revealing some of the darker side of Victorian London, this book makes a total left turn from most historical romance that I've read. A fascinating read with a romance that interacts extremely well with the story.