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The Duke's Baby

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The love of Miss Beatrice's life has just had a baby with his new wife. Will Miss Beatrice ever recover? will she find a new love? The Duke of Norwich is dashing, imposing and one of the most powerful men in England. With his dark hair and stormy grey eyes, he has been the object of Beatrice Edmundson’s girlish admiration since she was a child. In Bath, where they are neighbors in the Royal Crescent, she has waited and watched for him to return. Dreaming of the time when he will realize that he loves her too, she has thought of little else but her future with the Duke. With her heart firmly set on no other gentleman but him, she discovers that he has married someone else, sending Beatrice into a world of heartbreak and despair. She is devastated but she wishes for his happiness. She remains in love with him as the years pass, and his family grows. When tragedy strikes the Duke’s family, Beatrice comes to the rescue, even at the sacrifice of her own prospects at finding a husband. Will the Duke be able to love again? Can she make him see that friendship can sometimes turn into love? ***This book is included in the Regency Engagements Box Set.*** Readers who have enjoyed the inspirational, clean, and heartfelt stories of authors like Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and Charles Dickens may enjoy this great story about one of the most important things in life - love If you love Regency, inspirational-romance stories that are clean and wholesome and often include dukes, earls, barons, marquesses, lords and ladies, you will enjoy this book. *This is a historical Regency romance novel of about 30,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after. ★★★★★Must read Loved it. Historical romance. Beatrice and Lord Arthur. Beatrice always thought she would marry Arthur after becoming friends as children until she reads he married. ★★★★★Great Read! Beatrice the daughter of a wealthy merchant was a head strong girl who hated all the girly things she was supposed to do and then she met her next door neighbor Arthur who will be a Duke one day. They became great friends until one day he married another and at sixteen Beatrice was heartbroken but she decided that even though she loved him and wanted a future by his side he may not have ever felt that way about her. www.hiseverlastinglove.com

110 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2019

22 people are currently reading
18 people want to read

About the author

Eliza Heaton

31 books14 followers

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews361 followers
April 27, 2019
Beatrice was the only daughter of the Edmundsons, a wealthy merchant family who possessed the fortune and the necessary servants to see that she was raised properly. However, being obstinate and headstrong, she often did what she felt like doing, such as wearing no shoes, no bonnet, and standing on a bench with her hair in disarray. Her governess had a headache, so she decided to enjoy the day without all those things that didn’t matter to an 8-year-old. With such a beautiful day, she also skipped her lessons and went outside. The only thing missing was a friend.

Today she found a boy sitting in the garden on the other side of the wall. It looked like they were neighbors. He was reading a book and looked unhappy. Should she throw an acorn to get his attention? He ignored her but said he would seek aid if she continued to attack him. So he had noticed her! She said hello, and he told her he was studying. He said he thought she was an urchin because a young woman of class and wealth would wait to be introduced properly. She jumped over the wall and demanded an apology! Instead he called her rude and told her, “I am to be addressed Lord Fenwick; I am a marquis. My father is the Duke of Norwich.” As her temper rose and she was just about to cut loose with some very bad words, her mother’s nurse and companion, Miss Chisolm, arrived looking for her. The Marquis introduced himself and said she had been helping him study; then he helped her over the wall.

When Beatrice turned 16, she told Gertie she wished she were out in society so that she and Arthur could be married. Gertie laughed and told her it took more than that to get a man’s attention. She had not seen him for two years and missed him terribly. But he was not sending for her or making an effort to see her. Beatrice sat with her family for tea and her father, reading the newspaper, found an article of interest for them. He told them they should call and congratulate their neighbor since the Duke of Norwich was recently wed to the eldest daughter of the Earl of Winslow. Beatrice stopped breathing and began to feel faint, hearing Gertie call from a long way off. Her teacup slipped from her fingers as her world became dark.

Broken hearted and assumed ill, the family moved back to Kent so her friends could cheer her up. After 2 years, they returned to Bath, but seeing Arthur and his wife and child during her walk brought all the pain back. She asked Gertie to arrange for her to never come back here again. Although Beatrice was sick at heart, she did not get the fever that was going around at the time. But a short time later, they heard the news that Arthur’s wife had died. Beatrice’s mother insisted they call on the family, despite her own weakness that might let her catch the fever. The Dowager Duchess was not welcoming, but Beatrice’s mother would not give up and offered help in any way. Finally the Dowager Duchess turned to a handsome young man, addressing him as Dr. Whitmore, and asked him to provide care for Mrs. Edmundson whose health was similar to her own. A doctor – that would explain why he seemed to study Beatrice, she thought. Again his gaze lingered as they were introduced, and he smiled at her. With Arthur being away more and more often, she knew baby Lydia needed her care and love. Would the doctor become close to Beatrice? Or would she not be able to love another man as she had loved the Duke? What would her future have in store for her?

This is such a great story that pulls the reader in right from the start. Both Beatrice and Arthur were very strong characters and their friendship was deep. But Arthur was second cousin to the Prince Regent and had strict rules that must be followed regarding an heir. He seemed to change so much. And he did not deal well with his grief at his wife’s death. There is so much more to come. Grab this wonderful book and see where fate takes them.
Profile Image for Karen Darling.
3,393 reviews24 followers
February 13, 2024
The duke dissed the heroine and married someone of his class. After his wife dies, he ignores her for years then decides to marry her. The hero is a cold fish, and the heroine is stupid and desperate. Even the doctor thought so.
Profile Image for Emma.
2,864 reviews39 followers
April 28, 2019
Right from the beginning of the story my mind became engaged. I felt immersed in this coming of age story between classes. Page after page I was mesmerized by the story. It is a short story however it fulfilled all the requirements of an excellent tale. I liked the point of view which in this case was Beatrice. She is an eight-year-old daughter of a wealthy merchant. Her family bought a townhouse in the affluent area of Bath. Their next-door neighbors were the Duke and Duchess of Norwich and their only son Arthur, Lord Fenwick, who was a marquess. Beatrice and Arthur became the best of friends. The book's account of the years and the growth of Beatrice and Arthur was presented in an organized manner. Their characters had interesting personalities and there was plenty of joy, happiness and conflict between them. One thing Beatrice never understood was class divide. But soon she would learn. There was no confusion reading this story. It had a great introduction, a climax and a resolution. The way the author described attitudes, emotions, feelings were real and authentic. The beauty of the outdoors was described by bringing to my imagination color, smells and how things looked like. The relationships between the main characters and the supporting characters were kind, loyal and loving. An excellent read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
433 reviews24 followers
April 27, 2019
Beatrice Edmundsons was in the garden removed her bonnet, gloves, and her shoes though she knew she would be lectured for not keeping them but she was nine years old and wanted to play she looked over the wall that separated their home from the home next door and discovered a young man whom she thought was only three or maybe four years older than she was reading a book Browning that was Lord Fenwick she got acorns them at him trying to get his attention and he told her that if she did not stop he would have to summon a very haughty tone. Beatrice was ecstatic he had spoken to and he did notice then he said something about her being punished and she lost her temper and they ended up becoming good friends and she thought that when she got old enough they would get married and live a wonderful life because she loved she discovered his name was Arthur and that he would be a Duke one day. She never understood that their love would be filled with trials and tribulations and that he was six years older than her and would be ready for marriage much sooner than she would be. To find out everything that happened you have to read the book and it's a good book...
640 reviews5 followers
April 26, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Beatrice was an engaging child, outgoing and stubborn .She and Arthur became friends and as they grew she was determined to marry him even though he was well above her station. Then came the announcement that he had married. Even after talking to her friends who showed her that he had done nothing to encourage her feelings she couldn't understand and was grief stricken. Years later after his wife died she offered her services to help care for his baby. Enter the handsome doctor who has designs on Beatrice. What will be the outcome. A well told story, definitely worth the read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,372 reviews8 followers
May 4, 2019
Eliza Heston does it again what a powerful, well written story of love and sacrifice. I think as ladies we have loved and sacrificed throughout the centuries but Beatrice is a like no other she fell in love with Arthur as a child and as a woman has watched him marry another and have children and still loved him and when he has lost everything she sacrifices her chance at happiness or a good marriage to love the man she has always loved. Captivating from the beginning to the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Claire Palin.
64 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2019
I was pleasantly surprise I loved this short story. ❤️

It reminded me a little of the embittered earl another short story I have read. It got me engaged right away. I especially loved the relationship with the baby and Beatrice so sweet, they bonded quite quickly. ❤️ However, for me it was the friendship with Arthur and Beatrice. I was heartbroken for her. The best part was when she was formal with him, I really felt her angry and hurt. I glad it ended how it did and who she ended up with.









Very clean romance
810 reviews5 followers
April 24, 2019
A story on second chance of love...
Miss Beatrice fall in love with the Duke of Norwich when she was a girl... and her love never died...
Duke of Norwich wed someone else... and so Beatrice remains unwed...
When pain come to the Duke, Beatrice come to help and... Will friendship become more?
A story to read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
802 reviews6 followers
May 4, 2019
A very sweet and Clean romance

This was a very sweet and Clean romance about a special childhood friendship between two neighbors. Arthur, the Duke of Norwich, and Beatrice, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. A touching story about growing up side by side in a time when "nobility" married within their own class. A very quick and easy read for those that enjoy REGENCY romance.
VICKI FROM WYOMING
177 reviews2 followers
May 16, 2020
The Dukes Baby
I read the reviews of this one and just as I predicted I was mad by chapter three. I read the description so I had an idea of what I was in for. I will say before it was over Beatrice wasn’t the only one to be tempted to moan in a most pitiful manner. And just how long does one mourn companionship and respect? Doesn’t matter true Love Prevails in the end for everyone. I truly did like this book with one exception, it was told solely through Beatrice’s eyes.
Profile Image for Betty Salty.
16 reviews
May 4, 2019
This is a lovely story, well writen and with a happy end. The book describes Beatrice and Arthur friendship through the time. The evolution is well ploted and developed. The characters are strong and believable. I loved the headstrong Beatrice!

I got a free book from Booksprout in exchange of my true opinion.
Profile Image for MoonGarden.
382 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2019
Tuck in, this is no weekend romance

A love that lasts years. This is a second chance romance with a lot of history between the characters and a lot of life experiences. Love, hope, heartache, and friendship... which can lead back to love again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
889 reviews4 followers
May 3, 2019
The Duke's Baby

Life has many twists and turns and often leads us in an unplanned direction. A childhood friend married a lady of his class and breaks the Heart of his friend. Unexpected life changes occur.
Profile Image for Barbara Pierson.
53 reviews
May 5, 2019
Love is eternal.

What a charming story. I enjoyed every stage of their friendship and was sad when I thought it lost. The dialogue was refreshing as it conveyed the time period. I had to read it in one sitting! I know you will like it.
54 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2019
A sweet story

Enter into the story of a free spirited you girl who is a friend of an heir to a duke. Years pass as lives and times change. Beatrice must learn to love a little one and grows in understanding the true meaning of friendship. Such a sweet story.
Profile Image for Delbora.
1,462 reviews6 followers
May 10, 2019
So much Romance

Two people meeting as children and as often happens grow apart. Station in life can keep people apart as the main characters in our story was. But love can overcome all obstacles.
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,692 reviews71 followers
April 17, 2020
Another great regency novella. I liked the evolution of characters. It was unusual to start the story at such a young age but it really worked out very well.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Lisa  Montgomery.
949 reviews4 followers
May 30, 2021
I do appreciate a clean Regency romance.
This was a quick read and a great way to spend an evening.
That being said, I really had a hard time liking the hero in this tale, and I almost wished Doctor Whitmore had proven to be a better man that he was.
Profile Image for Evonne Hutton.
1,342 reviews10 followers
May 1, 2019
A sweet and clean historical story.
Childhood friendship leads to loss
The story line holds potential

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,873 reviews8 followers
May 12, 2019
Romance

Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Profile Image for Sheila Schwartz.
1,721 reviews5 followers
July 18, 2019
Once a Duke always a Duke

Excellent fun story that reminds you sometimes life takes a different path but hearts and true love doesn't. Totally leaves you smiling!
777 reviews2 followers
October 2, 2024
Delightful little story about a young girl, Beatrice, who strikes up a friendship with her neighbor, Arthur, who happens to be the heir a Dukedom. Her father, a wealthy man, is a merchant and not of the titled class. Anything other than a friendship is out of the question as far as the young man’s mother is concerned.

When she is 16, Beatrice‘s heart is broken when she learns of Arthur’s marriage to another woman. She is further into the depths of despair when she sees the couple, pushing a baby carriage. Determined to stop any feelings towards the Duke. Beatrice begins to turn her attentions to other things. It came as a shock one afternoon when she learned of the Dukes wife’s death. She had succumb to a fever that was traveling through Bath. Beatrice‘s mother insist that they pay condolences to the Dukes family and assist in caring for the Dukes little daughter. The Dower, your mother is not at all enthusiastic about their helping, but the doctor feels that there assistance should be welcomed.

The story does in fact, have a happy ending and it’s interesting how it comes about. This is a quick listen and quite entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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