A Duke Most Desirable

by Lucinda Nelson

Diana St. Clair in the age of 19 thought she found the love she ever wanted. She had floated through the year in a haze of enchantment and excitement. But then her dashing suitor joined the Navy. Five years still, she waits for him to return with her heart warm.

Lord Arthur Hayat, came back after five years in the Navy to take over his responsibilities as a Duke. His first priority was to reclaim Diana, but now that he found her, she seems distant. His best friend Brook has already expressed his interest in her and Lord Arthur is afraid that he came too late.

Miss Louisa Edge who has set her eyes on the soon- to -be Duke, takes advantage of the misunderstanding and creates an even bigger one.

Will Diana realize that her love for Arthur is not unrequited, before it’s too late?

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical

ebook

About the author

I have grown up and now live in Concord, New Hampshire.
I have studied and worked as a librarian and my meticulous research in History inspired an everlasting love for Historical Romance.
I discovered Bronte Sisters at my early teens and I have been fond of heroines like Jane Eyre, ever since.
I finally got the guts to participate on a writing contest on 2017. From right then I decided that plotting romances with rakish men and smart, feisty women, was an excitement I couldn’t stay away from. Except the times I am chasing down my two young boys.
Other than writing, I delight in watching theatrical plays, reading mystery novels and my latest discovery is cake decoration, something that I owe to my sons and my weakness for sweets.

Reviews

[Lyn Sweetapple · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet story about a couple in love, torn apart for 5 years who slowly find their way back to that love. This is NOT steamy at all. There is one kiss on their engagement and he asks permission first.

[Julie Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and give it 4.5 Stars--rounding up to 5 as it was well proofed and easy to read. Two things brought it down 1/2 point--no epilogue. It ended rather abruptly without many happy moments developed between our primary couple (all tension and distance) and the cover showed Lord Hyatt shirtless. He was not a rake! A little misleading. Unless in the epilogue, post marriage, some happier times are described, maybe children. Anyway, that aside, I did enjoy the book and found it a good read. Diana was a worthy, loyal, patient woman despite no word from her chosen suitor whom she did not mention to anyone her first season or when he was gone five years in the Navy. Then she sees he returned, but had sent no word to her. Brief words at some events and hope was restored, but then so was doubt as a bold younger Miss Edge is horning her way into Lord Hyatt's life. Whom will he choose? Can Diana take any more and wait, must she act, or will Lord Hyatt prove to be the man who left her all those years ago and return for her hand? Fun, short regency romance.

[Ramona Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Diana St. Clair had been waiting for five years or gentleman to return that she had promised to wait for when he disappeared to sea. Her mother was after her to give up are waiting and allow them to arrange a marriage for because she was getting to be too old to marry. Unknown to her Lord Arthur Hyatt for the first time in years was returning home when he entered his home he went towards the drawing room where his mother was and she was ecstatic to see him again. She arranged for Arthur to meet the daughter of a friend of hers Miss Edge upon leaving the carriage he glanced at the park and thought he saw Diane the lady he loved. Diane was astounded when she looked and saw him exiting the carriage and going into the house. Her first thoughts were that Arthur had returned unfortunately the love the two had for each other did not go smoothly and to find out all the trials and tribulations you must read the book. It's an all right book. I had trouble getting into it but I did finish it....

[Claudia Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucinda Nelson has delivered a historical romance that kept me on the seat of my chair. The book was about a love that survived five years of the couple being separated. When they were reacquainted, they were both worried that the other’s feelings might have changed. Thrown in were parents trying to secure marriages for their sons and daughters during a time of strict societal rules and lots of gossip. Additionally there was a young lady scheming to get a marriage proposal from the gentleman, who was not interested in her. She used societal rules to keep things stirred up and secure a marriage for herself. What kept me on the edge of my seat was the rules of society and misunderstandings. I wanted to jump in the book straighten out myself.
Although a good book, I believe it must be an early book from the author and there is nowhere to go but up. I was confused at the beginning because the name of a principal character changed in the third paragraph. My rating is 4.5.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Regency Era. They are always an enjoyable read, and I learn more about how difficult it was for a woman to let a gentleman know she was interested in him.
The gentlemen in this time were so honorable,and respecting of a woman's feelings.
Lord Arthur Hyatt who has Dukedom in his future left home to enter into the Navy. He left his heart with Diana St. Clair, and she felt the same for him. Five years later, she has waited to see him. Never a letter to let her know if he was even alive.
In the park walking with her friend she sees him getting out of a carriage, and her feelings are ignited all over again, but the rules of etiquette in the Regency Era were taken very seriously, and this keeps Arthur and Diana apart testing their love for each other. Great Story!

[Danielle Carpenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is simply a misunderstanding of a love that has been too long been pulled apart. The author never did tell us why Arthur had to spend 5 years out of England. The real problem with this novel is that everyone was so concerned about propriety, that they almost lost the most valuable thing; each other. The plot and climax of the book is very good, but there were times I was bored out of my mind about all the propriety that had to be observed. I found Arthur to be really selfish, because he did not tell his parents about Diana before he left and the promise he made to her. If he had done this, none of the machinations would have happen.

[Crazychriss889 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute novella.

Lovely characters - a woman who has been pining for a man for five years and a man who I hope was just as faithful as she was finally meet again.
I think all in all, it was nicely done. I didn't get his actions, didn't get why he would her her hopes up and then leave and unfortunately, he never really apologizes cause it was his duty and bla bla but alright, he redeems himself in the present, doesn't really waiver

Nicely written, well edited (except for one comment).

The plot was definitely there as well, if a bit underdeveloped. Some things were left in the air, which was a bit unsatisfying.

[Norma Peramo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story of true love finally found. Diana St Claire's dashing suitor, Lord Arthur Hayat, joins the Navy and against everyone's advice, she waits for him for five years. Upon his return, in order to accept his responsibilities as the new Duke, he finds that his best friend, Lord Brook, has already expressed his interest in her. Is Arthur too late to reclaim his sweetheart? Twists and turns abound, and you'll be reading without wanting to put this book down. Great plot and characters; some you'll like and others you'll despise. Never a boring moment, especially when the conniving Miss Louisa Edge is around, but there is a happily ever after.

[Sherry Westendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has been waiting for him for 5 years. He went into the army and has been there for those 5 years. He has come home to take over the Dukedom. She still loves him but manners mean in those times you have to do things right. So she loves him from afar. A lot of other factors add into it. The characters and story flow together greatly. It is interesting, exciting, fun, emotional, suspenseful. I love that period of history. I recommend this. I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.

[NefariousButterfly · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a Regency romance it was very light on the romance and much on the gossiping keeping the couple apart. Although that is a common and unavoidable concept in the ton it seemed to encompass the entire book. It did have an interesting main plot but it was never really a developed relationship or characters. It seemed that despite being about a 5 year span the characters were in stasis never to mature or grow. It was nice to find a clean romance however it just wasn't as moving as one would hope with such a title.

[Nancy Dillow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of lost love - he was gone for five years, and no one had heard from him. The 19-year old he left behind was being encouraged to get married, it did not matter who, just get married.

When he gets back, he is not bold enough to confront either her parents or herself. But, allows his mother to proffer another young girl. What a wimp!

Still, I recommend this book to those who like shorter Regency stories.

[Carole · Rating 1 out of 5]

Found the book odd - it consisted of jumping from stilted dialogue to stilted dialogue with very little setting of scenes or description, so there was no flow or heart energy. Lots of machinations in the marriage mart and angsty dithering that could have been solved by one open honest conversation - this story was not my cup of tea.

I must have received an early copy because it appears the Heroine's name was Lydia in first two paragraphs and suddenly she is Diana for the rest of the book??

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are so many unanswered questions in this story. The first is why the heroine starts out on page one as Lydia and in the second or third paragraph is named Diana? What was Arthur doing for five years that was so honorable that no one knows where he is? Why do all of these people that have been friends and even cousins call each other lady this, miss this and lord the other? Dialog is a little slow and the customs of the time seem a little exaggerated.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Diana fell in love during the first year of her season but Arthur was called away to the Navy. Five years later he is back but he can't just pick up where he left off. This book will leave you cheering for true love. It is a "can't put down" type of book so don't start it at bedtime.

[J Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is five years too long to hope?

This lovely novella had enough drama for a full-length novel. Lady Diane had waited five years for the object of her affections to return and now that he has, she can only hope he has not forgotten her. Through the twists and turns, I kept going for a happy ending because Diane and Lord Arthur deserve to be together.

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 2 out of 5]

She waited for him for five years and now he is back
But the interference of others may destroy their courship
I received an Advance Reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started slow for me and I didn’t know if I was going to like it. It dragged for the first few chapters but then things got interesting and I couldn’t put it down. Turned out to be a good read.

[Ishara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book. It was slow and repetitive. And super boring.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful romance story to make your day. Extremely enjoyable.

[Noreen Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story that showed how love and life happened in the 1800's.
How love out last all.

[Sadie Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very lovely romance ❤️