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Sons of the Marquess #3
Lord Augustus
A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom.
Lord Augustus Marford has only one interest in life - horses. It’s an expensive hobby. When his brother, the Marquess of Carrbridge, finds himself in financial trouble after his agent disappears with much of his fortune, Gus is happy to help the family finances by finding work with horse auctioneers Tattersalls. His first job takes him to the wild Northumberland coast to assess some stud horses for the eccentric Duke of Dunmorton.
But Gus’s hopes of a quiet trip are soon shattered as he is drawn into the Duke’s family problems, and finds himself in the unlikely role of matchmaker for his elderly host. And then there’s Amaryllis Walsh, the demure widow living quietly on the Duke’s estate. Gus is powerfully drawn to her, but her history is mysterious - who is she really? Are there dark secrets in her past? And even if he can answer those questions, he daren’t risk falling in love, when he can’t afford to marry.
Book 3 of the 5-book Sons of the Marquess series, each a complete story with a HEA, but read all of them to find out all the secrets of the Marford family!
Lord Augustus Marford has only one interest in life - horses. It’s an expensive hobby. When his brother, the Marquess of Carrbridge, finds himself in financial trouble after his agent disappears with much of his fortune, Gus is happy to help the family finances by finding work with horse auctioneers Tattersalls. His first job takes him to the wild Northumberland coast to assess some stud horses for the eccentric Duke of Dunmorton.
But Gus’s hopes of a quiet trip are soon shattered as he is drawn into the Duke’s family problems, and finds himself in the unlikely role of matchmaker for his elderly host. And then there’s Amaryllis Walsh, the demure widow living quietly on the Duke’s estate. Gus is powerfully drawn to her, but her history is mysterious - who is she really? Are there dark secrets in her past? And even if he can answer those questions, he daren’t risk falling in love, when he can’t afford to marry.
Book 3 of the 5-book Sons of the Marquess series, each a complete story with a HEA, but read all of them to find out all the secrets of the Marford family!
Audible Audio
First published January 16, 2018
About the author
Mary Kingswood
107 books502 followersI live in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland with my husband. I like chocolate, whisky, my Kindle, massed pipe bands, long leisurely lunches, chocolate, going places in my campervan, eating pizza in Italy, summer nights that never get dark, wood fires in winter, chocolate, the view from the study window looking out over the Moray Firth and the Black Isle to the mountains beyond. And chocolate. I dislike driving on motorways, cooking, shopping, hospitals.
The lovely lady in my avatar is Archduchess Clementina of Austria (1798-1881), Princess of Salerno, painted around 1839.
NOTE: I read Regency romances as well as write them, and I review them all on my website, or you can find them right here on Goodreads on my real-name account at Pauline M. Ross.
The lovely lady in my avatar is Archduchess Clementina of Austria (1798-1881), Princess of Salerno, painted around 1839.
NOTE: I read Regency romances as well as write them, and I review them all on my website, or you can find them right here on Goodreads on my real-name account at Pauline M. Ross.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
October 24, 2024
January 2025: The sweetest book in the series. If you love cute children in your historical romances, read this book.
There’s also a hilarious letter from Connie (prior series, married the oldest brother from this series) about Humphrey’s wife chasing the villain of the series on her horse. The letter ends with how she’s feeling since she’s pregnant. Go Hortensia!
October 2024: Gus is the charming, horse-obsessed brother who left his family home to work for Tattersall’s after the family finds out they are in financial straits. On a trip to buy horses from a dead aristocrat’s estate, he stumbles upon an intriguing gentlewoman who is raising a little boy is near-isolation. He befriends them and falls in love, but has to figure out who she is (and where the son came from) before offering for her.
At the same time, the series-long story arc about Mr. Sharpe, the thieving estate steward, has some significant developments.
Gus is a wonderful character, but I was even more charmed by little Ned. I love beautifully written children in stories and this one was delightful.
There’s also a hilarious letter from Connie (prior series, married the oldest brother from this series) about Humphrey’s wife chasing the villain of the series on her horse. The letter ends with how she’s feeling since she’s pregnant. Go Hortensia!
October 2024: Gus is the charming, horse-obsessed brother who left his family home to work for Tattersall’s after the family finds out they are in financial straits. On a trip to buy horses from a dead aristocrat’s estate, he stumbles upon an intriguing gentlewoman who is raising a little boy is near-isolation. He befriends them and falls in love, but has to figure out who she is (and where the son came from) before offering for her.
At the same time, the series-long story arc about Mr. Sharpe, the thieving estate steward, has some significant developments.
Gus is a wonderful character, but I was even more charmed by little Ned. I love beautifully written children in stories and this one was delightful.
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July 31, 20197/30/19:
I'm really treating myself by reading three books in a row by the same author. In Mary Kingswood, I have found an author that ranks among the "higher echelons" of my favorite clean Regency authors.
This just makes me very happy! :-D
Lord Augustus is the horse-mad Marford brother. He's very interested in riding horses as well as horse-breeding, while disinterested in women and most other things. He's just as gentlemanly as Lord Humphrey was in the previous book. However, I was a little displeased when he forgot a promise he made to a spinster to inform a duke that she could potentially be his duchess. (A bit of an odd promise, but still, he did say that he would do so.)
8/1/19:
Okay. So Gus has just lied. Arguably, it was small lie, and it was only to try to help the aforementioned potential duchess, but still. A lie. Well, I'll just have to see how his character develops moving forward.
8/2/19:
(Nearly) penniless Gus is intrigued by a penniless widow. They both like horses and playing musical instruments. However, they aren't a good match - in the sense that they wouldn't be each bringing something of value to a marriage.
8/4/19:
Audio: The narrator does an excellent job with this story. I can't, however, understand the duke very well when he's speaking in an agitated voice. I'm sure this is due to my deafness rather than to any flaw in the narration. Fortunately, it doesn't happen very often. 8/8/19 - This narrator conveys emotions amazingly authentically. Wow!
8/6/19:
I'm concluding that the moral character of Lord Augustus is basically very pleasing. I think he does what a lot of people do - placate people with statements that don't necessarily mean anything, but that when fully examined can be found to be a "little white lie." I haven't found any more instances of this than the two previously mentioned in this review. I'm heartened by that, because lies, no matter how small, are a pet peeve of mine.
I do wish the hero/heroine had more page time together.
8/7/19:
This author does a good job of including little conundrums into her stories. The books in this series aren't mysteries, per se, but they have some mysterious situations, and the journey to solve them really pique my interest. I really don't know the answer to the conundrum in this book...... It's surely going to work out, but how???!??
8/9/19:
So, I finished the book, and I'm sad! I don't have book #4! 5 Stars.
One last random note regarding Christianity: The faith of one or two of the characters is portrayed in a positive light, which I appreciated!
I'm really treating myself by reading three books in a row by the same author. In Mary Kingswood, I have found an author that ranks among the "higher echelons" of my favorite clean Regency authors.
This just makes me very happy! :-D
Lord Augustus is the horse-mad Marford brother. He's very interested in riding horses as well as horse-breeding, while disinterested in women and most other things. He's just as gentlemanly as Lord Humphrey was in the previous book. However, I was a little displeased when he forgot a promise he made to a spinster to inform a duke that she could potentially be his duchess. (A bit of an odd promise, but still, he did say that he would do so.)
8/1/19:
Okay. So Gus has just lied. Arguably, it was small lie, and it was only to try to help the aforementioned potential duchess, but still. A lie. Well, I'll just have to see how his character develops moving forward.
8/2/19:
(Nearly) penniless Gus is intrigued by a penniless widow. They both like horses and playing musical instruments. However, they aren't a good match - in the sense that they wouldn't be each bringing something of value to a marriage.
8/4/19:
Audio: The narrator does an excellent job with this story. I can't, however, understand the duke very well when he's speaking in an agitated voice. I'm sure this is due to my deafness rather than to any flaw in the narration. Fortunately, it doesn't happen very often. 8/8/19 - This narrator conveys emotions amazingly authentically. Wow!
8/6/19:
I'm concluding that the moral character of Lord Augustus is basically very pleasing. I think he does what a lot of people do - placate people with statements that don't necessarily mean anything, but that when fully examined can be found to be a "little white lie." I haven't found any more instances of this than the two previously mentioned in this review. I'm heartened by that, because lies, no matter how small, are a pet peeve of mine.
I do wish the hero/heroine had more page time together.
8/7/19:
This author does a good job of including little conundrums into her stories. The books in this series aren't mysteries, per se, but they have some mysterious situations, and the journey to solve them really pique my interest. I really don't know the answer to the conundrum in this book...... It's surely going to work out, but how???!??
8/9/19:
So, I finished the book, and I'm sad! I don't have book #4! 5 Stars.
One last random note regarding Christianity: The faith of one or two of the characters is portrayed in a positive light, which I appreciated!
May 13, 2020
Gus and his colleague Col. Edgerton are on an errand for Tattersall's to review and sell the stud farm belonging to the Duke of Morton. Along the way they meet Lady Emma Frensham, Gus's childhood friend, a thirty-something spinster in search of a rich husband. Gus is not the man she needs and he isn't in the petticoat line. He's focused on business. Upon reaching Castle Morton, the men run into several problems. The Duke is an irascible old man who will only deal with Gus, the son/brother of a nobleman and not Edgerton who is more experienced. The old man claims the stud farm is his to sell but his daughter-in-law, a recent widow, claims her husband left it to her. While they wait for word from their superiors, Gus and Edgerton are left to explore the village. While Edgerton takes pleasure in the village ladies, Gus is interest solely in horses. While out exercising his hot-tempered horse Jupiter, he nearly runs over a woman at the gatehouse. The woman, Amaryllis Walsh, is a lovely young widow with a delightful young son living on the Duke's property. Gus soon discovers Mrs. Walsh is as lovely on the inside as she is outside but he can have no thoughts of marriage in his present position. He must put her out of his mind. Easier said that done when Gus comes to the rescue again. The more he sees of Mrs. Walsh, the more he feels conflicted between desire and duty as the son of a Marquess. Gus tries to distract himself by working on discovering the secrets of his brother's agent, Sharp, who is still missing. Yet Gus still can't forget the widow and wonders whether she is respectable. Connie, of course, is all for love but in this instance, she agrees with her beloved Francis that duty must come first, putting Gus in a terrible spot. Can he give up all he's ever known for a woman? Should he even try?
This story is not quite as engaging as the previous one. I figured out the romance mystery pretty quickly. There were additional plot twists there I hadn't foreseen and I was curious enough to want to skim ahead. I was more interested in the mystery of the missing Sharp than the romance. I skipped ahead to see what happened. I have to try doing that in the next two books now! I'm dying to know. Some of the things Gus discovers about his father are VERY shocking and surprising! I was really angry at the men in this novel. I didn't care for the secondary plot about Lady Emma. That makes two romances and one mystery and that's way too much for one book. Plus, Emma deserves her own book!
I really like Gus. He's focused on his goals and on his job. Gus is kind, empathetic and doesn't puff up his consequence at all. He'd rather be known as plain old Gus than Lord Augustus. Gus is close to his brothers even when they annoy him and his sisters-in-law are now dear to his heart, especially matchmaking Connie. Connie may be featherheaded but she's a pro when it comes to romance. Normally I like her but I didn't agree with her advice. Why would anyone even have to know if Lady Augustus was less than respectable? Why not maintain the story she told Gus? Anyway, he hadn't even tried proposing yet. What if the lady says no as I suspect she would? I think there was too much drama. It drags out way too long.
I really want to support Emma. She's a 30-something spinster and longs for her own home. However, I disliked the idea of her even wanting to marry a cranky old man twice her age. I especially found it icky that she reportedly fell in love with him while watching him dance when she was only 9 years old. She deserves better. Emma's methods of getting her man are equally abhorrent to me as her sisters'. I don't like quiet, gentle heroines in my novels. They tend to be boring. Emma will make a great mother but she would have made an excellent midwife/healer if stupid men hadn't taken over the job. I found Amaryllis a little annoying and unsympathetic at first until she revealed her whole story. At the end I went back to finding her annoying again but she is a sympathetic character after all. She's had a very difficult life. Ned is a spoiled brat. I don't care for children in my novels or in real life, especially not spoiled ones who make demands. I can see why his mother can't deny him what he wants and he's young to learn a life lesson but I think he needs more of a firm hand. I was surprised by how deeply religious Amaryllis is. She not only attends church every Sunday, she keeps the Sabbath in a strict way, not even playing music or letting Ned play with his tin soldiers. OUCH! Poor kid!
The Duke of Morton is a horrible person. I hate how snobby he is. He's completely over-the-top ridiculous. His attitude towards his heir is awful. I agree with Gus that he needs to educate his heir and not expect a middle-class attorney to automatically know how to behave, especially around someone he doesn't know. Not letting a qualified agent in to deal with his stud farm is even more ridiculous. Gus is a newbie and Edgerton has more experience. It would make more sense to deal with Edgerton. The Duke's snobbery is coming back to bite him in the posterior. He would have alienated his sons if they had lived, he's estranged from his daughters who aren't even there to help him when he needs it and he's awful to his daughter-in-law. Admittedly, she gives him a hard time and is said to be a toxic person. I think the Duke should marry his daughter-in-law if he could. They'd be horrid to each other and deserve it.
Edgerton may be good at his job and better with people than Gus but I think he's a disgusting rake. He is not the redeemable sort and what kind of friend goes out carousing every night and doesn't return until the wee hours? Shouldn't they be working or getting to know each other?
I like Mr. Willerton-Forbes. He's awkward and unsure of himself but he wants to learn. He seems smitten with Lady Emma and would make a good husband for her. She could take him in hand and teach him how to be the son of a nobleman and raise their children as nobility.
The villains are super scary. Mrs. Ballard is bone-chillingly evil! What kind of husband does she have? Where is he? Mrs. Walsh says he was kind so perhaps he isn't strong-willed enough to stand up to her. She hasn't gone through the stages of grief and I believe it is because she isn't right in the head and he can't see it. She raised her sons to be just like her. Her offhand comment about the Girls' Academy is pretty much the worst thing in light of what Amaryllis says about it.
I like this series well enough but maybe not enough to stay up late reading the next two.
content:
violence
near rape
kidnapping
murder
adultery
womanizing (off page)
illegitimate children
This story is not quite as engaging as the previous one. I figured out the romance mystery pretty quickly. There were additional plot twists there I hadn't foreseen and I was curious enough to want to skim ahead. I was more interested in the mystery of the missing Sharp than the romance. I skipped ahead to see what happened. I have to try doing that in the next two books now! I'm dying to know. Some of the things Gus discovers about his father are VERY shocking and surprising! I was really angry at the men in this novel. I didn't care for the secondary plot about Lady Emma. That makes two romances and one mystery and that's way too much for one book. Plus, Emma deserves her own book!
I really like Gus. He's focused on his goals and on his job. Gus is kind, empathetic and doesn't puff up his consequence at all. He'd rather be known as plain old Gus than Lord Augustus. Gus is close to his brothers even when they annoy him and his sisters-in-law are now dear to his heart, especially matchmaking Connie. Connie may be featherheaded but she's a pro when it comes to romance. Normally I like her but I didn't agree with her advice. Why would anyone even have to know if Lady Augustus was less than respectable? Why not maintain the story she told Gus? Anyway, he hadn't even tried proposing yet. What if the lady says no as I suspect she would? I think there was too much drama. It drags out way too long.
I really want to support Emma. She's a 30-something spinster and longs for her own home. However, I disliked the idea of her even wanting to marry a cranky old man twice her age. I especially found it icky that she reportedly fell in love with him while watching him dance when she was only 9 years old. She deserves better. Emma's methods of getting her man are equally abhorrent to me as her sisters'. I don't like quiet, gentle heroines in my novels. They tend to be boring. Emma will make a great mother but she would have made an excellent midwife/healer if stupid men hadn't taken over the job. I found Amaryllis a little annoying and unsympathetic at first until she revealed her whole story. At the end I went back to finding her annoying again but she is a sympathetic character after all. She's had a very difficult life. Ned is a spoiled brat. I don't care for children in my novels or in real life, especially not spoiled ones who make demands. I can see why his mother can't deny him what he wants and he's young to learn a life lesson but I think he needs more of a firm hand. I was surprised by how deeply religious Amaryllis is. She not only attends church every Sunday, she keeps the Sabbath in a strict way, not even playing music or letting Ned play with his tin soldiers. OUCH! Poor kid!
The Duke of Morton is a horrible person. I hate how snobby he is. He's completely over-the-top ridiculous. His attitude towards his heir is awful. I agree with Gus that he needs to educate his heir and not expect a middle-class attorney to automatically know how to behave, especially around someone he doesn't know. Not letting a qualified agent in to deal with his stud farm is even more ridiculous. Gus is a newbie and Edgerton has more experience. It would make more sense to deal with Edgerton. The Duke's snobbery is coming back to bite him in the posterior. He would have alienated his sons if they had lived, he's estranged from his daughters who aren't even there to help him when he needs it and he's awful to his daughter-in-law. Admittedly, she gives him a hard time and is said to be a toxic person. I think the Duke should marry his daughter-in-law if he could. They'd be horrid to each other and deserve it.
Edgerton may be good at his job and better with people than Gus but I think he's a disgusting rake. He is not the redeemable sort and what kind of friend goes out carousing every night and doesn't return until the wee hours? Shouldn't they be working or getting to know each other?
I like Mr. Willerton-Forbes. He's awkward and unsure of himself but he wants to learn. He seems smitten with Lady Emma and would make a good husband for her. She could take him in hand and teach him how to be the son of a nobleman and raise their children as nobility.
The villains are super scary. Mrs. Ballard is bone-chillingly evil! What kind of husband does she have? Where is he? Mrs. Walsh says he was kind so perhaps he isn't strong-willed enough to stand up to her. She hasn't gone through the stages of grief and I believe it is because she isn't right in the head and he can't see it. She raised her sons to be just like her. Her offhand comment about the Girls' Academy is pretty much the worst thing in light of what Amaryllis says about it.
I like this series well enough but maybe not enough to stay up late reading the next two.
content:
violence
near rape
kidnapping
murder
adultery
womanizing (off page)
illegitimate children
July 24, 2019
Third in the 'brothers of the Marquess/sons of the (different) Marquess' series.
Lord Augustus Marford likes horses. His family is, strangely poor-ish. Horses are expensive. Sooo, he gets a job with a horse place. The kind who buy horses and auctions them. He's sent 'up north' to investigate the horses of a recently dead Duke-heir (son of a Duke). Along with him is a much more experienced horse man, but one who does not have high society blood and therefore someone the Duke won't have anything to do with. But Gus has that Marquess blood and so the Duke will have 'something' to do with him.
Augustus goes riding. Almost runs over a woman who had sprint out to open the gate for him. His horse was too wild and energetic for him to actually stop, so he continued. Somewhat concerned he'll come back to find a dead body beside the road. When he returns, he finds the woman alive and well. And intriguing. And this is the kind of man who prefers the company of horses to humans (not that way).
She mentions she's a widow; the Duke tells Gus to stay away from her but won't say anything about her (actually, now that I recall, he did, but I have this out of order now); Gus is still interested, to the point he finds he has 'feelings'. Digs deeper, can't find any record of the husband with the military group he was supposed to be with (who just happen to be camped nearby). This here is when he asks the Duke about her, gets the news to stay away from her, and then something about her being a 'Mistress' but I can't actually recall if the Duke actually said that or someone else did.
Meanwhile he's informed at least one person via letter that there's this woman who interests him, but she's a widow. And asks some advice. Then has to send another letter indicating that the woman has a child and might never have married anyone.
He's sad. There's no way he can marry her now.
The woman, for her part, notices that Gus has an interest in her, but doesn't know the rest, just notices the interest. Which she strongly believes she doesn't deserve. She's that kind of woman, the kind who thinks she doesn't deserve stuff.
My favorite of the three books I read in this series, though my words above doesn't exactly lend themselves to me recalling why it is my favorite of the three.
Rating: 4.55
August 11 2019
Lord Augustus Marford likes horses. His family is, strangely poor-ish. Horses are expensive. Sooo, he gets a job with a horse place. The kind who buy horses and auctions them. He's sent 'up north' to investigate the horses of a recently dead Duke-heir (son of a Duke). Along with him is a much more experienced horse man, but one who does not have high society blood and therefore someone the Duke won't have anything to do with. But Gus has that Marquess blood and so the Duke will have 'something' to do with him.
Augustus goes riding. Almost runs over a woman who had sprint out to open the gate for him. His horse was too wild and energetic for him to actually stop, so he continued. Somewhat concerned he'll come back to find a dead body beside the road. When he returns, he finds the woman alive and well. And intriguing. And this is the kind of man who prefers the company of horses to humans (not that way).
She mentions she's a widow; the Duke tells Gus to stay away from her but won't say anything about her (actually, now that I recall, he did, but I have this out of order now); Gus is still interested, to the point he finds he has 'feelings'. Digs deeper, can't find any record of the husband with the military group he was supposed to be with (who just happen to be camped nearby). This here is when he asks the Duke about her, gets the news to stay away from her, and then something about her being a 'Mistress' but I can't actually recall if the Duke actually said that or someone else did.
Meanwhile he's informed at least one person via letter that there's this woman who interests him, but she's a widow. And asks some advice. Then has to send another letter indicating that the woman has a child and might never have married anyone.
He's sad. There's no way he can marry her now.
The woman, for her part, notices that Gus has an interest in her, but doesn't know the rest, just notices the interest. Which she strongly believes she doesn't deserve. She's that kind of woman, the kind who thinks she doesn't deserve stuff.
My favorite of the three books I read in this series, though my words above doesn't exactly lend themselves to me recalling why it is my favorite of the three.
Rating: 4.55
August 11 2019
January 30, 2020
SPOILERS-SPOILERS
This story made no sense to me whatsoever.
How stupid was the heroine? She goes to the duke tells him she is in need and asks for his help. He doesn't like her and thinks she's shady but she has a letter from his dead son so to honor him he gives her a cottage to live in next to the castle.
Why not just tell him she was married to his son. The Duke would have done handstands. All his son's were dead. She was the mother to the heir. Why deny her son his inheritance? His birthright. Friends. Education. Most of all his safety. So she could live next door to the castle in a shack and let people think she was an unwed mother? The heroine wasn't just stupid she was brainless.
The hero was stiff, dull and not too bright. When he wasn't whining to his friends that he was poor(he only owned 15 horses) and in love with a bimbo he was writing long letters to his sister in law complaining about his unfortunate choice in women. But not to worry he assures her. He would never marry a woman who had made a "mistake". Thank God she turned out to be married to the duke's son. It could have been sticky.
The child was the only likable character in the whole book. That's just my opinion of course. Looking at all the 4 and 5 star reviews I'm apparently in the minority. But I still think I'm right. It's a dumb book.
This story made no sense to me whatsoever.
How stupid was the heroine? She goes to the duke tells him she is in need and asks for his help. He doesn't like her and thinks she's shady but she has a letter from his dead son so to honor him he gives her a cottage to live in next to the castle.
Why not just tell him she was married to his son. The Duke would have done handstands. All his son's were dead. She was the mother to the heir. Why deny her son his inheritance? His birthright. Friends. Education. Most of all his safety. So she could live next door to the castle in a shack and let people think she was an unwed mother? The heroine wasn't just stupid she was brainless.
The hero was stiff, dull and not too bright. When he wasn't whining to his friends that he was poor(he only owned 15 horses) and in love with a bimbo he was writing long letters to his sister in law complaining about his unfortunate choice in women. But not to worry he assures her. He would never marry a woman who had made a "mistake". Thank God she turned out to be married to the duke's son. It could have been sticky.
The child was the only likable character in the whole book. That's just my opinion of course. Looking at all the 4 and 5 star reviews I'm apparently in the minority. But I still think I'm right. It's a dumb book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2022
3.25-3.5 stars
January 16, 2018
Sweet clean story.
I did enjoy this book. It is well written and you feel it was written in the time of the book. I felt all characters were described well. The first part seemed a bit slow{4 stars} It has drama humor and love. I recieved this book as an arc copy.
I did enjoy this book. It is well written and you feel it was written in the time of the book. I felt all characters were described well. The first part seemed a bit slow{4 stars} It has drama humor and love. I recieved this book as an arc copy.
December 22, 2024
first appearances of captn edgerton & mr wilberton-forbes, almost unrecognizable but soon to become the daring duo we know and love.
April 27, 2021
Once again I was enjoyed continuing Mary Kingwood's Sons of the Marquess series with this book. I am a big fan of the regency era and I think that she remains more historically accurate than many in the genre. I appreciate the way she gives each character their own distinct personality. Lord Augustus and his brothers were not generic romantic heroes, all tall, handsome, and dashing. They each have their own likes and vices, and meet women who suit them well.
When it is discovered that Lord Augustus's brother, the Marquess, does not have the fortune he had thought, and therefore is unable to support his brothers, Lord Augustus happily takes a job purchasing horses for Tattersalls. He has no intention of marrying, both due to lack of fortune and lack of interest. His first job takes him to the Duke of Dunmorton's estate, where he meets a widow that intrigues him.
In the previous books Gus is mentioned as a horse enthusiast and not much more. I liked seeing his character become more three-dimensional here. As is true with any real person, there is more to Gus than his primary interests, and I enjoyed reading about his kindness, honor, and devotion to justice.
I rate books with three stars as the average for a book that is enjoyable, but not remarkably good or bad. I gave Lord Augustus four stars, as it is above average in historical accuracy, the language used, and my general enjoyment of the book.
When it is discovered that Lord Augustus's brother, the Marquess, does not have the fortune he had thought, and therefore is unable to support his brothers, Lord Augustus happily takes a job purchasing horses for Tattersalls. He has no intention of marrying, both due to lack of fortune and lack of interest. His first job takes him to the Duke of Dunmorton's estate, where he meets a widow that intrigues him.
In the previous books Gus is mentioned as a horse enthusiast and not much more. I liked seeing his character become more three-dimensional here. As is true with any real person, there is more to Gus than his primary interests, and I enjoyed reading about his kindness, honor, and devotion to justice.
I rate books with three stars as the average for a book that is enjoyable, but not remarkably good or bad. I gave Lord Augustus four stars, as it is above average in historical accuracy, the language used, and my general enjoyment of the book.
July 13, 2020
Best of the Sons of the Marquess books
I read all of these before reading the daughters of Alamont series, and now after reading all, appreciate them much more. Lord Augustus becomes truly interesting, all because of the horses! My new favorite character is Jupiter, his fine stallion, who shared more of Gus' adventures than any other, and is instrumental in all aspects. The sections on horse culture are fascinating and indicate that Ms. Kingswood has a fair knowledge herself of horses . The most phenomenal difference of modern life is the absence of the horse, and how utterly dependant humans were on horses, until only 100 years ago. The story of the breeding ideas, organization of the stables made the Lord Augustus story far more interesting than his brothers . Important, that the lady love appreciated the horse farm. Too tantalizing was the filly's winning of newmarket....right at the end. Good parallel, not enough horse credit. Gus's relationship with the young Ned have him character, too. I especially liked his observation that among his many nieces and nephews, he was considered nothing and a bore; but suddenly as the only focus of a lonely child, Gus's natural athletics and refinement made him a heroic figure. A very nice way for a coincidental relationship to prosper.
This I will read again, for the sake of Jupiter, and his master's regard for him.
I read all of these before reading the daughters of Alamont series, and now after reading all, appreciate them much more. Lord Augustus becomes truly interesting, all because of the horses! My new favorite character is Jupiter, his fine stallion, who shared more of Gus' adventures than any other, and is instrumental in all aspects. The sections on horse culture are fascinating and indicate that Ms. Kingswood has a fair knowledge herself of horses . The most phenomenal difference of modern life is the absence of the horse, and how utterly dependant humans were on horses, until only 100 years ago. The story of the breeding ideas, organization of the stables made the Lord Augustus story far more interesting than his brothers . Important, that the lady love appreciated the horse farm. Too tantalizing was the filly's winning of newmarket....right at the end. Good parallel, not enough horse credit. Gus's relationship with the young Ned have him character, too. I especially liked his observation that among his many nieces and nephews, he was considered nothing and a bore; but suddenly as the only focus of a lonely child, Gus's natural athletics and refinement made him a heroic figure. A very nice way for a coincidental relationship to prosper.
This I will read again, for the sake of Jupiter, and his master's regard for him.
July 14, 2019
Lord Gus had been working at Tattersalls' to earn a living and to be near horses and so it came to pass that he and a co~employee were tasked to facilitate the sale of the Morton stud after the death of the the Marquess of Darrowstone, heir to the Duke of Dunmorton and the stud's breeder. At Castle Morton, with the intractable, gout~ridden sexagenarian Duke who deals only with those of noble blood, the ownership of the stud came in question and lawyers became involved thus prolonging their stay at the Castle with enforced association to the irascible eccentric. Then Lord Gus formed a tendre for a widow with an unknown or unverifiable past for the Duke refused to give a qualifying answer to her presence at a cottage in the estate grounds... and conundrums and complications pile up. Meanwhile, the search for the duplicitous Sharp was still very much in play and another source of endless hilarity for such a creative villain... for while on the trail of Sharp, another half~brother turned~up. Always a good entertaining time and worth the time spent reading a book written by Mary Kingswood... Now, for the saint~like Parson Lord's story... Lord Montague and newly ordained, too... and perhaps in need of a wife...?
January 27, 2018
Another excellent addition to this series. Gus is no womanizer - he has taken a job a Tattersall's, dealing with horses, to help supplement the diminished fortunes of his family. He is sent to northern England where he meets a mysterious, but demure and beautiful, widow. The story revolves around finding out who she is....and can Gus marry the love of his life.
Better than book 2 (which was still good), I like these characters. Their world seems real. Secondary characters remain good and we are still on the hunt for Sharp - or whatever his name happens to be in different places.
The Marfords continue to please as a family as well. In so many Regencies, the families are held together by little more than blood. But this is a family where the oldest brother LOVES his younger brothers and wants them near him - he does want their happiness, but he wishes they could all live close. At one point in the book, in a letter, his wife tells Gus that he went to Humphrey's wedding along with another brother because "no brother could do anything without two or three of his brothers by his side." That is refreshing.
I have ordered the next in the series.
Better than book 2 (which was still good), I like these characters. Their world seems real. Secondary characters remain good and we are still on the hunt for Sharp - or whatever his name happens to be in different places.
The Marfords continue to please as a family as well. In so many Regencies, the families are held together by little more than blood. But this is a family where the oldest brother LOVES his younger brothers and wants them near him - he does want their happiness, but he wishes they could all live close. At one point in the book, in a letter, his wife tells Gus that he went to Humphrey's wedding along with another brother because "no brother could do anything without two or three of his brothers by his side." That is refreshing.
I have ordered the next in the series.
January 30, 2018
Lord Augustus, Gus to his companions, is the third brother of the Marquess of Carrbridge. As a third son he has no expectations to the title and the families' fortune seems to be missing as well as the land agent. His one great love is horses, thus his new position at Tattersall’s horse auctioneers. On assignment, Gus heads north to see the Duke of Dunmorton. His son has died and the Duke wants Tattersall’s to value and sell the horses from his son's horse stud farm.
Things do not go smoothly, and soon Gus finds the ownership of the stud farm is in dispute, there is a very attractive widow with a small son at the north gate, and the Duke is persuaded to find a new Duchess. All the while Gus is corresponding with the Marquess' wife Connie who sets him on the trail of the land agent, Mr Sharp, last seen in the north country.
Gus becomes very busy trying to keep up with all the different people and situations being thrown at him. But as things resolve Gus finds his true love, his ideal career, and even leads on the family fortune and the missing Mr Sharp. And the Duke finds his Duchess.
Things do not go smoothly, and soon Gus finds the ownership of the stud farm is in dispute, there is a very attractive widow with a small son at the north gate, and the Duke is persuaded to find a new Duchess. All the while Gus is corresponding with the Marquess' wife Connie who sets him on the trail of the land agent, Mr Sharp, last seen in the north country.
Gus becomes very busy trying to keep up with all the different people and situations being thrown at him. But as things resolve Gus finds his true love, his ideal career, and even leads on the family fortune and the missing Mr Sharp. And the Duke finds his Duchess.
January 29, 2020
Wonderful
Another fun and satisfying story from this talented author. Five brothers, all sons of an earl who was a wild and popular aristocrat before he died, and each son is different from the others, but all are good and honorable people. There is a family mystery, a rogue estate manager who is siphoning money away from the family and making their lives difficult.
This third book in the series focuses on Gus, who is obsessed with horses. Because the family is struggling for money, he takes a job with Tattersalls, and his work leads him to interesting places and people, as well as to further uncovering information about this rogue estate manager. Of course there is a romance in it for him, as well.
The stories are so much fun to read because most of the characters in them are people you care about, people who you would want as friends. Although the Marford family are aristocracy, they all have a humility and kindness about them that makes them all lovable.
There are a fair number of editing errors, but not enough to be distracting. The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it highly.
Another fun and satisfying story from this talented author. Five brothers, all sons of an earl who was a wild and popular aristocrat before he died, and each son is different from the others, but all are good and honorable people. There is a family mystery, a rogue estate manager who is siphoning money away from the family and making their lives difficult.
This third book in the series focuses on Gus, who is obsessed with horses. Because the family is struggling for money, he takes a job with Tattersalls, and his work leads him to interesting places and people, as well as to further uncovering information about this rogue estate manager. Of course there is a romance in it for him, as well.
The stories are so much fun to read because most of the characters in them are people you care about, people who you would want as friends. Although the Marford family are aristocracy, they all have a humility and kindness about them that makes them all lovable.
There are a fair number of editing errors, but not enough to be distracting. The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it highly.
October 31, 2023
Lord Augustus lives and breathes horses. He's uninterested in women because he is too poor to support a wife. He realizes he cannot dally with a woman without causing harm to himself and her. Thus, when he meets Amaryllis Walsh, he is surprised by his interest.
Gus and Captain Edward Edgerton work for Tattersalls, London's premier horse buyer and seller. They have gone to assess a group of horses after the death of their owner. They aim to determine their value and whether to cart the best ones to London while selling the lesser horses locally. Suddenly, they find out that there is a question of ownership and must wait until the lawyers weigh in on ownership.
In the meantime, Gus takes on a job for Merton, the Marquess's secretary. They are looking for Mr. Sharp (the Marquess's steward) and the Marquess's money that was removed from his bank account.
Sons of the Marquess – Total of 6
1. Lord Reginald (2017)
2. Lord Humphrey (2017)
** 3. Lord Augustus (2018)
4. Lord Montague (2018)
Gus and Captain Edward Edgerton work for Tattersalls, London's premier horse buyer and seller. They have gone to assess a group of horses after the death of their owner. They aim to determine their value and whether to cart the best ones to London while selling the lesser horses locally. Suddenly, they find out that there is a question of ownership and must wait until the lawyers weigh in on ownership.
In the meantime, Gus takes on a job for Merton, the Marquess's secretary. They are looking for Mr. Sharp (the Marquess's steward) and the Marquess's money that was removed from his bank account.
Sons of the Marquess – Total of 6
1. Lord Reginald (2017)
2. Lord Humphrey (2017)
** 3. Lord Augustus (2018)
4. Lord Montague (2018)
January 10, 2024
If I were to say that Lord Augustus (Gus) was a horse nerd, that would be short of a more well-rounded description of this lead character. He is infinitely good with children and troubled widows. He is as caring and considerate as any noble and gentleman should be, though he is shy about having enough money to wed.
Amarylis is a widow with many mysteries. She has a loveable son who obviously worships Gus. Gus loves Amarylis but he feels he can't come up to scratch to propose without knowing her background.
But what I really liked about this story was the issues of inheritance and lawful marriage in the Regency period, though this could be a story for the present. The present laws of wills, trusts and inheritance haven't changed that much since then, and it is a thriving industry of law today.
And let's not forget the nefarious agent that has been fleecing the Marquess to the tune of at least 200,000 pounds for years. By this book, he is on the run with a shoulder wound from Lady Humphrey, the crack shot. They are bound to catch him. And if they do, he will hang.
Amarylis is a widow with many mysteries. She has a loveable son who obviously worships Gus. Gus loves Amarylis but he feels he can't come up to scratch to propose without knowing her background.
But what I really liked about this story was the issues of inheritance and lawful marriage in the Regency period, though this could be a story for the present. The present laws of wills, trusts and inheritance haven't changed that much since then, and it is a thriving industry of law today.
And let's not forget the nefarious agent that has been fleecing the Marquess to the tune of at least 200,000 pounds for years. By this book, he is on the run with a shoulder wound from Lady Humphrey, the crack shot. They are bound to catch him. And if they do, he will hang.
May 7, 2020
Gus is the fourth of a set of six brothers. The eldest is a marquess and the others were all raised as gentlemen but little money of their own to support the lifestyle they have been taught to enjoy. When the marquess suddenly finds himself in straightened circumstances, the various brother begin trying to find ways to make a living. Because Gus has always been horse mad, he takes a job at Tattersall's evaluating stables fallen on hard times for auction. On a trip to Northumberland to assess the stud of a recently deceased heir to a dukedom, he discovers clues to his elder brother's money difficulties, a wonderful thoroughbred breeding operation and a mysterious young widow. In a Jane Austen-meets-Sherlock Holmes sort of way, this is an enjoyable exercise. There are apparently five other books in the series.
January 24, 2018
This is a fun story. It seems like the characters are kind of, in a chaos. There is a little boy and his mother, who live in a little cottage on the duke's property. The boy's name is Ned. Is she married or not. There are some twists to this tale and it keeps you interested and reading. The characters have individual personalities and quirks. It is also a romance between Gus and Mrs. Edward Walsh. They have horses and a small boy, the duke, his grandfather in common
I loved it . There is always something happening in the book.
I received this ARC and voluntarily reviewed.
I loved it . There is always something happening in the book.
I received this ARC and voluntarily reviewed.
April 30, 2020
Of all these Regency romances, this is the one, so far, that made the least impression on me despite it being the best mystery. Lord Augustus or Gus is mainly a lover of horses and while riding up north on business for Tattersall's he nearly hits Amaryllis Walsh while riding jupiter his favorite and falls desperately in love. But where does she come from, why does she never go anywhere, how come she has a son and many more similar queries make this an intelligent page turner. I could not put it down although I do wish the author had made Amaryllis less shy.
January 26, 2021
I admit that these all kind of run together after awhile, especially when you read them all right in a row. I liked this the least of the ones that I'd read so far, mainly because the Heroine has no personality at all for the bulk of the story. Her entire personality is "mysterious widow" and Mother, and yet Gus is somehow madly in love with her. After hearing her back story you actually got to see part of her personality, but I have a hard time believing that he caught feelings for her based on what we were shown.
February 3, 2024
Always a joy!
Mary Kingswood is the best. With each book of hers I read, and there have been many many books of hers that I have read, I never cease to be astonished and amazed at what a wonderful, clever, intelligent writer she is. Her characters never fail to be complex and interesting and very believable. And each book contains a puzzle or mystery which makes the plot sing.
When I read one of her books I am transported completely in my imagination to Regency England and to the lives of the people who lived at that time.
Mary Kingswood is the best. With each book of hers I read, and there have been many many books of hers that I have read, I never cease to be astonished and amazed at what a wonderful, clever, intelligent writer she is. Her characters never fail to be complex and interesting and very believable. And each book contains a puzzle or mystery which makes the plot sing.
When I read one of her books I am transported completely in my imagination to Regency England and to the lives of the people who lived at that time.
April 26, 2025
Augustus and Amaryllis.
Augustus is horse crazy who thinks that a woman will never compare to the joy of his horses.
Amaryllis is a poor widow living in the gatehouse of the Duke of Dunmorton's estate.
Another heroine with secrets that the hero overlooks and can't help but fall in love even though they've only been in each others company a few times. This story progressed the Mr Sharp mystery more than the other books since it involved Amaryllis. All a little convoluted but entertaining.
I accidently read The Chaplain series first only to discover several series that take place before. To see Capt Edgerton acting so cavalierly and a bit of a cad is weird. There are probably many years between the series though and one hopes we all grow up over time. It was also unsettling and a bit funny to see Willerton-Forbes unconfident and out of sorts throughout this book.
Augustus is horse crazy who thinks that a woman will never compare to the joy of his horses.
Amaryllis is a poor widow living in the gatehouse of the Duke of Dunmorton's estate.
Another heroine with secrets that the hero overlooks and can't help but fall in love even though they've only been in each others company a few times. This story progressed the Mr Sharp mystery more than the other books since it involved Amaryllis. All a little convoluted but entertaining.
I accidently read The Chaplain series first only to discover several series that take place before. To see Capt Edgerton acting so cavalierly and a bit of a cad is weird. There are probably many years between the series though and one hopes we all grow up over time. It was also unsettling and a bit funny to see Willerton-Forbes unconfident and out of sorts throughout this book.
June 27, 2019
Lord loves a Jupiter
Lord Gus loves his horses better than he cares for most people. His horses and their comfort are paramount to him. He travels to a Duke's home to settle the estate of a recently deceased son. The son left a large stable of horses to be bred for racing stock. He also left a secret wife and heir .However it takes almost the entire book to unravel this mystery.
Lord Gus loves his horses better than he cares for most people. His horses and their comfort are paramount to him. He travels to a Duke's home to settle the estate of a recently deceased son. The son left a large stable of horses to be bred for racing stock. He also left a secret wife and heir .However it takes almost the entire book to unravel this mystery.
January 20, 2021
This is the third book in the series about brothers and can be read as a stand-alone although there is an ongoing story arc concerning estate agent Sharp running through all the books. This story didn’t hold my interest quite as well as the first two. Grade A on this narrator. Outstanding job but Augustus was not really as interesting. His amusing personality saved the story from an insipid heroine.
October 22, 2022
best so far
Reading in sequence, I see that the rat we all smelled in earlier books has been forced to flee. I wonder if we’ll see the duplicitous Mr Sharp again!
Although transparent, it was a well-written story. Points given for great proofreading and editing.
It’s become apparent that self-published books are not always so cleaned up, and I appreciate the actual author of pen-name Mary Kingswood greatly.
Reading in sequence, I see that the rat we all smelled in earlier books has been forced to flee. I wonder if we’ll see the duplicitous Mr Sharp again!
Although transparent, it was a well-written story. Points given for great proofreading and editing.
It’s become apparent that self-published books are not always so cleaned up, and I appreciate the actual author of pen-name Mary Kingswood greatly.
November 14, 2024
A delightful Regency romance. The attraction is almost instantaneous, but difficulties arise because of Lord Augustus' lack of financial independence and, mostly, the mystery surrounding his beloved. The main storyline is concerned with this mystery and the way the romance evolves. In parallel, there's a secondary sweet romance and the background mystery regarding the Marques' agent that spans the whole series. All in all, a satisfying read with care for historical accuracy.
September 10, 2026
How I adore Mary Kingswood. It’s been awhile since I first read these books. Here we first meet Pettigrew Willerton-Forbes, who becomes essential to the cast going forward, and we witness the first meeting between he and Captain Edgerton. No clue as to the shenanigans these two will become involved in when they pair up down the road. Talk about a character arc! The story is so satisfying, though fraught with anxiety in the search for Mr. Sharpe, the dishonest steward.
February 9, 2018
Easy Reading
Having read the other books by this author, this one held no surprises. Still it was a good story, just enough mystery to keep it interesting, and of course, a happy ending. Can't wait to read book four.
Having read the other books by this author, this one held no surprises. Still it was a good story, just enough mystery to keep it interesting, and of course, a happy ending. Can't wait to read book four.
February 23, 2018
Great Story Line
I just love the way you add suprises to your stories. I have read all of the Allmont sister's books and all of the sons of the Marquess books so far. Please keep them coming. You are a very talented writer.
I just love the way you add suprises to your stories. I have read all of the Allmont sister's books and all of the sons of the Marquess books so far. Please keep them coming. You are a very talented writer.
January 30, 2019
Every award or honor this author has achieved is nothing to the delight of her readers when she publishes a new book. These stories are more drawing room than bedroom and are each a complete adventure and romance too good to miss!
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