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Never the Bride #11
Always the Mistress
Always the mistress and never the bride—and it never bothered her, until now...
Miss Emma Tilbury is notorious, and that's just the way she likes it. As mistress to the rich and famous, she's never short of cash or invitations—but after reaching thirty, a shock rejection makes her think again. Perhaps it's time to look for another protector.
Abraham Fitzclarence—Fitz to his friends—believes in love and has had his eye for years on Miss Emma Tilbury. Forbidden fruit, delectable and sweet, he’s astonished when she takes a shine to him—and his heart is quickly lost despite all his attempts to remain aloof.
Emma needs a protector, but Fitz intrigues her. Perhaps this is a man she could truly care for—as long as she doesn’t lose her heart. She's determined to keep their relationship just business. He's ready to leave all that behind her. There's no end of pleasure at night, but in the morning, there's nothing but disappointment.
Will Emma open her heart—and could Fitz be the one to do so? Or will her past follow her and prevent a happily ever after?
This full length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order.
Miss Emma Tilbury is notorious, and that's just the way she likes it. As mistress to the rich and famous, she's never short of cash or invitations—but after reaching thirty, a shock rejection makes her think again. Perhaps it's time to look for another protector.
Abraham Fitzclarence—Fitz to his friends—believes in love and has had his eye for years on Miss Emma Tilbury. Forbidden fruit, delectable and sweet, he’s astonished when she takes a shine to him—and his heart is quickly lost despite all his attempts to remain aloof.
Emma needs a protector, but Fitz intrigues her. Perhaps this is a man she could truly care for—as long as she doesn’t lose her heart. She's determined to keep their relationship just business. He's ready to leave all that behind her. There's no end of pleasure at night, but in the morning, there's nothing but disappointment.
Will Emma open her heart—and could Fitz be the one to do so? Or will her past follow her and prevent a happily ever after?
This full length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2021
110 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Emily E.K. Murdoch
146 books282 followersEmily E.K. Murdoch is also known as Emily Murdoch.
Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and writer. Throughout her career so far she has examined a codex and transcribed medieval sermons at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, designed part of an exhibition for the Yorkshire Museum, worked as a researcher for a BBC documentary presented by Ian Hislop, and worked at Polesden Lacey with the National Trust. She has a degree in History and English, and a Masters in Medieval Studies, both from the University of York. Emily is currently working on a new four part Regency novella series, two of which are now published.
You can follow her on twitter and instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/theemilyekmurdoch, and read her blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.com
Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and writer. Throughout her career so far she has examined a codex and transcribed medieval sermons at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, designed part of an exhibition for the Yorkshire Museum, worked as a researcher for a BBC documentary presented by Ian Hislop, and worked at Polesden Lacey with the National Trust. She has a degree in History and English, and a Masters in Medieval Studies, both from the University of York. Emily is currently working on a new four part Regency novella series, two of which are now published.
You can follow her on twitter and instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/theemilyekmurdoch, and read her blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.com
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 18, 2021
Rating: 3.5/5.0
“Always the Mistress” is a sweet historical romance that will have the reader believing in true love.
Read full review in the 2021 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.
“Always the Mistress” is a sweet historical romance that will have the reader believing in true love.
Read full review in the 2021 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.
March 8, 2021
Another addition to this endearing series that is definately a little different. This time the heroine, Miss Emma Tilbury goes after her man, Viscount Braedon, due to desperation. That is, soon to having no funds to survive.
Braedon seemed the epitome of a shy gentleman that had always admired Emma when she was tied to his friend Marnmouth. Now she was garnering his attention and he could not believe it!
Emma feels she will never truly find anyone to love her so she may as well do the best she can. But it seems that Braedon may be the one. At least he may think so but will he?
Pure entertainment!
Braedon seemed the epitome of a shy gentleman that had always admired Emma when she was tied to his friend Marnmouth. Now she was garnering his attention and he could not believe it!
Emma feels she will never truly find anyone to love her so she may as well do the best she can. But it seems that Braedon may be the one. At least he may think so but will he?
Pure entertainment!
September 13, 2022
Emma & Braedon. I've enjoyed this series (solid 3 and 4 stars) but then we get to this one. By 19%, I put the book down (for 2 months). I don't enjoy books where the man is PINING after the woman like seriously pining. She was Marnmouth's (from the previous book) mistress for 7 years and one day he got tired of her and dumped her (she was in love with him). Even though she was his mistress he would escort her to various events (it was known in society her role). Braedon had met her and instantly fell in love with her but she was his friend's mistress. 2 years after Marnmouth dropped her she was running out of $$$ and needed to look for a new protector. She flirted with various men at events before coming upon Braedon. Knowing his feelings, he asks Marnmouth for his permission to come to an understanding with Emma. This was awkward AF but Marnmouth said fine. He saves her from a couple of embarrassing encounters she had with members of the ton and a merchant. He invites her to his country home for the weekend. Knowing she needed a new protector, she plots on how she can manipulate him into wanting her and therefore becoming her new protector. Pause for a moment to note he comes off like a 16 y/o boy (I know he isn't) with a crush on an older more experienced woman who is selfishly plotting how to manipulate him. But it gets worse because at his country home he takes her on a picnic where she decides to seduce him. Given her experience she knows how to please a man and she proceeds to do so (riding him) getting him close but then taking her own pleasure and stopping him. She does this 4 times before letting him climax. Then she proceeds to tell him that in 20 mins they'll be able to go again. This didn't come off as sexy at all...it was trashy because not only her fully acting like a prostitute but HE WAS A VIRGIN (back to the 16 y/o boy thing) and decided she was the one he would give his innocence to. He thinks himself in love with her and (fast forward) tells her that he doesn't want her as his mistress but rather his wife. Granted, she decline him (the only semi-redeeming quality she's shown) because not only does she know how the ton will treat them but also she is barren. He will be the last Viscount Braedon (I was hoping for a she's pregnant surprise in the epilogue but was disappointed). He spends more time pining and she tells him she's leaving the country (she doesn't have the $$$ so she asked him to steal a ring from Marnmouth's home that she had stolen from the Prince Regent so she could pawn it). She disappears but is found at his cook's sister's house. He goes to her and tells her that he loves her and wants to marry her. He doesn't care about the repercussions, he just wants her. She finally accepts and they marry (her in white). I'm all for a good redemption story (I loved book 3) and I'm also all for a strong female character but this was garbage. She is trashy and takes advantage of his naivety. He doesn't come off as manly and there are so many awkward/cringe-worthy interactions. Ex. right before he leaves for the church to marry Emma, Marnmouth comes to him "I know how special she is, and though I never fell in love with her, I did....appreciate her." Our epilogue was a perfect showing of how society will treat them so it wasn't even really happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2025
Can a long time mistress finally find her forever love?
Emma Tilbury has been a part of several of the previous books in this series as the mistress of Marnmouth. She is no longer his mistress and is needing to find a new man to act as her protector.
Abraham Fitzclarence (Viscount Brandon) has yearned for Emma for some time and now realises his chance has come.
I adored Fitz’s shy attempts at trying to get Emma to stay with him for the weekend.
We learn about what forced Emma into the life she has been living. This was at a time when the chances available to women (of whatever class) were very limited.
Unless like Jane Austen’s Emma Woodhouse they were born to wealth which was not entailed (which is the fate of the Dashwood girls in Sense and Sensibility) or “poor Miss Bates” in Emma.
Eventually things manage to resolve themselves and these two people who may not be the conventional hero and heroine get their own happily ever after.
Emma Tilbury has been a part of several of the previous books in this series as the mistress of Marnmouth. She is no longer his mistress and is needing to find a new man to act as her protector.
Abraham Fitzclarence (Viscount Brandon) has yearned for Emma for some time and now realises his chance has come.
I adored Fitz’s shy attempts at trying to get Emma to stay with him for the weekend.
We learn about what forced Emma into the life she has been living. This was at a time when the chances available to women (of whatever class) were very limited.
Unless like Jane Austen’s Emma Woodhouse they were born to wealth which was not entailed (which is the fate of the Dashwood girls in Sense and Sensibility) or “poor Miss Bates” in Emma.
Eventually things manage to resolve themselves and these two people who may not be the conventional hero and heroine get their own happily ever after.
March 12, 2021
A bit different - 3 1/2
I can easily say that I’ve read all books in the series and found them all delightful and some, even, a tad shinier than the others. Having previous characters whom you’ve met before move in and out of various books is fun and helps with continuance of the whole series. This one, however, just did not connect with me somehow. Perhaps it was Fitz - his total innocence and discomfort isn’t what I look for in a leading man. Yes, his overall sweetness and desire to make things right are laudable, but I just could not warm to him. Emma,now, was a wonderful character. Her strength at facing life for all its good and bad was wonderful to watch; I was continually pulling for her. It’s a good story and the strength of the characters is what makes the book shine ... just not my cup of tea!
I can easily say that I’ve read all books in the series and found them all delightful and some, even, a tad shinier than the others. Having previous characters whom you’ve met before move in and out of various books is fun and helps with continuance of the whole series. This one, however, just did not connect with me somehow. Perhaps it was Fitz - his total innocence and discomfort isn’t what I look for in a leading man. Yes, his overall sweetness and desire to make things right are laudable, but I just could not warm to him. Emma,now, was a wonderful character. Her strength at facing life for all its good and bad was wonderful to watch; I was continually pulling for her. It’s a good story and the strength of the characters is what makes the book shine ... just not my cup of tea!
March 2, 2021
A VISCOUNT IN LOVE
Emily Tilbury is desperate for a new protector. It 's been two years since the Earl of Marnmouth ended his protection. She attends one of the few parties she's received an invitation to seductively search for someone new. She's not interested in love, just someone to take care of her. When Emily approaches Viscount Braedon, he's shocked that she finally notices him. He's wanted her for years. Braedon is completely open and honest with his feelings for her. With his declaration, Emily breaks it off. Why would any man want to love and marry her? Braedon won't give up for the one thing he really wants. These are easy to read with interesting and interconnecting characters.
Emily Tilbury is desperate for a new protector. It 's been two years since the Earl of Marnmouth ended his protection. She attends one of the few parties she's received an invitation to seductively search for someone new. She's not interested in love, just someone to take care of her. When Emily approaches Viscount Braedon, he's shocked that she finally notices him. He's wanted her for years. Braedon is completely open and honest with his feelings for her. With his declaration, Emily breaks it off. Why would any man want to love and marry her? Braedon won't give up for the one thing he really wants. These are easy to read with interesting and interconnecting characters.
March 3, 2021
Love the first time
Fitz aka Braeden had a crush on Emma for literally years as she was the mistress of an Earl one of his best friends! Emma has been let go for two years and desperately needs another protector! Fitz is a Viscount and comes from a long line of tradition but no one has made him feel like Emma! Emma knowing his history and tradition believes she is barren (I hope in future stories she can give Fitz an heir)!
Everything is so natural open and honest with these two and the fact they both attend Emma ex wedding that is humorous indeed! I love the chemistry and banter! Fits cones off as shy and not very bright but he swoops in and protects his lady! Unexpected and sweet!
Fitz aka Braeden had a crush on Emma for literally years as she was the mistress of an Earl one of his best friends! Emma has been let go for two years and desperately needs another protector! Fitz is a Viscount and comes from a long line of tradition but no one has made him feel like Emma! Emma knowing his history and tradition believes she is barren (I hope in future stories she can give Fitz an heir)!
Everything is so natural open and honest with these two and the fact they both attend Emma ex wedding that is humorous indeed! I love the chemistry and banter! Fits cones off as shy and not very bright but he swoops in and protects his lady! Unexpected and sweet!
June 28, 2021
I finished this book because I have read all the others in the series. I could not warn up to Emma or Braedon. He was too much like a love struck puppy and she, no matter how much the author tried to convince us differently, came off like a gold digger. The insertion of the regent's ring was just odd and did nothing for the book or the likeability of the main characters. The best I can stay is that this is a quick read.
March 5, 2021
Beautifully Told!
Emma deserved her own story! Life for a woman alone and In those times left no real choices. Fortunately, she was noticed and appreciated. The Duke's discarded mistress had an admirer, a long time admirer for whom there was no other woman. I loved this story! I loved the reversal of roles in that here, it was the man who was the 'innocent'.
Emma deserved her own story! Life for a woman alone and In those times left no real choices. Fortunately, she was noticed and appreciated. The Duke's discarded mistress had an admirer, a long time admirer for whom there was no other woman. I loved this story! I loved the reversal of roles in that here, it was the man who was the 'innocent'.
May 31, 2021
Always the Mistress
Very interesting story. Braden had been wishing Emma was his. He loved her from afar for a long time. She was a mistress to one of his friends. Emma became available, since Mamorth had released her as his mistress. Braden be gain his pursuit of Emma. He wanted her for a wife, but she did not understand that. You will want to red this , enjoy .
Very interesting story. Braden had been wishing Emma was his. He loved her from afar for a long time. She was a mistress to one of his friends. Emma became available, since Mamorth had released her as his mistress. Braden be gain his pursuit of Emma. He wanted her for a wife, but she did not understand that. You will want to red this , enjoy .
March 4, 2021
Also always a good read
I thoroughly have enjoyed all the "Always the ......" books not missed a one and eagerly await the next. The characters are so sweet and make one smile. You must try and read one of Me Murdoch's tales and be hooked on an interesting author.
I thoroughly have enjoyed all the "Always the ......" books not missed a one and eagerly await the next. The characters are so sweet and make one smile. You must try and read one of Me Murdoch's tales and be hooked on an interesting author.
March 13, 2021
Totally different
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I've enjoyed reading the series so far but this one took me by surprise. It's a totally different point of view. Leave it to MS Murdoch to make you think as well as enjoy
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I've enjoyed reading the series so far but this one took me by surprise. It's a totally different point of view. Leave it to MS Murdoch to make you think as well as enjoy
August 21, 2022
Wonderful, Entertaining & Romantic
This Story was different yet wonderful.
I love how the Hero was awkward & stumbled with words when he was nervous.
I really liked how the Heroine tried to make it through life especially after losing her mother.
I am really enjoying this Series tremendously.
This Story was different yet wonderful.
I love how the Hero was awkward & stumbled with words when he was nervous.
I really liked how the Heroine tried to make it through life especially after losing her mother.
I am really enjoying this Series tremendously.
March 3, 2021
Unexpected
Not really what I expected. Had to push through it. It wasn't a very strong piece of work to me.
Not really what I expected. Had to push through it. It wasn't a very strong piece of work to me.
March 6, 2021
Loved it
I have read this entire series and I am so happy Emma found her happy ending especially after appearing in several novels.
I have read this entire series and I am so happy Emma found her happy ending especially after appearing in several novels.
March 15, 2021
Excellent
This is another excellent story in the series. It is well written. The characters are brought to life. I look forward to the next in the series.
This is another excellent story in the series. It is well written. The characters are brought to life. I look forward to the next in the series.
July 3, 2021
This is a very democratic romance eschewing many of the standard requirements of this time period. That makes it very refreshing and enjoyable to read.
August 4, 2021
Another good one
This was an original. Even though the series already has a courtesan. It was a nice if not realistic romance.
This was an original. Even though the series already has a courtesan. It was a nice if not realistic romance.
February 15, 2022
Finally
It took a while, but I am glad Ms Tilsbury got a happy ending. Throughout the series she has had so many difficulties.
It took a while, but I am glad Ms Tilsbury got a happy ending. Throughout the series she has had so many difficulties.
January 8, 2023
Great read
It was hard to put down. It was well written and a page turner. I was glued from start to end. Love this series.
It was hard to put down. It was well written and a page turner. I was glued from start to end. Love this series.
Read
November 28, 2021Always the Mistress, Book 11 of the Always the Bride series, was about Miss Emma Tilbury, former mistress of the Earl of Marnmouth, and Lord Abraham "Fitz" Fitzclarence, Viscount Braedon.
Having spent almost seven years as the mistress to the Earl of Marnmouth and then set aside two years ago, Emma had fallen on hard times. No longer under the safety of a "Protector", she had been forced to fend for herself.
Fitz, who had been interested in Emma for several years, longed to convince her to leave her mistress years behind her and give love between them a chance. Uncertain how to approach her, though, he just bided his time and kept his mouth closed.
Emma's character never made sense in this series. While many books I've read about courtesans becoming wives, none of them had been such pathetic characters...or lifelong courtesans. Most had only been part of that lifestyle for a short time and then found love. None had been "cast aside" by their protector and then found love with another lord. Nor had any of them been "welcomed" into polite society the way Emma had supposedly been. No lord in his right mind would have flaunted his mistress so blatantly either.
This whole idea wreaked of desperation on the part of the main female character, and she was not above seeking a married man to become her protector. That the author would use the male characters from love matches in her previous books of the series as possible protectors for Emma was quite tasteless on her part. First, she had each lord find a love match...and now offered them up as someone who might be open to taking on a mistress? Not very well done on the part of the author...at all. Emma was also more focused on greed than she was in finding a love match...as most mistresses of the time were as that was, of course, how they made their living. So for her to become the main character in a romance novel just didn't make sense. She was too jaded for the part.
The pathetic attitude of the main male character was unacceptable as well. Sure, many lords interchanged mistresses, but for one to moon over another man's mistress for years and then want to marry her when she was cast off? Braedon's character was made out to be some simpering, weak-minded, uncouth lord who was always in the wrong when amongst his friends. The author had painted him in a bad light throughout the series, and she did him no good turn by portraying him as such a pitiful man who had waited in the wings for another man's scraps.
While attending a card party, Emma was on the prowl for a new protector. Hoping to get her claws into at least an earl, she hit on every one of her former lover's friends...most of who had already found love matches in previous stories. When she spotted Braeden across the room, she was a bit disappointed that he was a mere viscount, yet she believed him to be "worth a little practice". She was intent on using him to line her pockets until someone better came along...and nothing more. She was extremely manipulative, bent on pushing Braedon into doing whatever she wanted. Emma, nearly five years older than Braedon, and was definitely quite a bit more experienced, had no problem using him. Emma used the word that described herself perfectly...a leech, and that's what she was, and not in a good way at all. She didn't think well of Braedon at all. Whenever he stepped in and saved her from one scrape or another, she repeatedly thought things like, "she had never seen him in such a way" or she had "never considered him an intelligent man". So she was believing him to be a dunce and used him to her advantage. Disgusting.
There was too much fluff in this story. It really didn't have to be as long as it was. Introspection has its place, but when it takes up several chapters in a row, that goes beyond the pale. It was boring, brash, and poorly done. The more one read, the worse the book got. There were a lot of things that were not era-appropriate. The verbiage was too modern, as were ideas, actions, and other aspects of the story.
Yes, definitely the worst book of the series, with only one to go, and that's saying something as I have not liked just about every single volume in this series. There were one or two exceptions, but this was an atrocity. It did not earn even a one-star rating. There was just too much wrong with this story.
Having spent almost seven years as the mistress to the Earl of Marnmouth and then set aside two years ago, Emma had fallen on hard times. No longer under the safety of a "Protector", she had been forced to fend for herself.
Fitz, who had been interested in Emma for several years, longed to convince her to leave her mistress years behind her and give love between them a chance. Uncertain how to approach her, though, he just bided his time and kept his mouth closed.
Emma's character never made sense in this series. While many books I've read about courtesans becoming wives, none of them had been such pathetic characters...or lifelong courtesans. Most had only been part of that lifestyle for a short time and then found love. None had been "cast aside" by their protector and then found love with another lord. Nor had any of them been "welcomed" into polite society the way Emma had supposedly been. No lord in his right mind would have flaunted his mistress so blatantly either.
This whole idea wreaked of desperation on the part of the main female character, and she was not above seeking a married man to become her protector. That the author would use the male characters from love matches in her previous books of the series as possible protectors for Emma was quite tasteless on her part. First, she had each lord find a love match...and now offered them up as someone who might be open to taking on a mistress? Not very well done on the part of the author...at all. Emma was also more focused on greed than she was in finding a love match...as most mistresses of the time were as that was, of course, how they made their living. So for her to become the main character in a romance novel just didn't make sense. She was too jaded for the part.
The pathetic attitude of the main male character was unacceptable as well. Sure, many lords interchanged mistresses, but for one to moon over another man's mistress for years and then want to marry her when she was cast off? Braedon's character was made out to be some simpering, weak-minded, uncouth lord who was always in the wrong when amongst his friends. The author had painted him in a bad light throughout the series, and she did him no good turn by portraying him as such a pitiful man who had waited in the wings for another man's scraps.
While attending a card party, Emma was on the prowl for a new protector. Hoping to get her claws into at least an earl, she hit on every one of her former lover's friends...most of who had already found love matches in previous stories. When she spotted Braeden across the room, she was a bit disappointed that he was a mere viscount, yet she believed him to be "worth a little practice". She was intent on using him to line her pockets until someone better came along...and nothing more. She was extremely manipulative, bent on pushing Braedon into doing whatever she wanted. Emma, nearly five years older than Braedon, and was definitely quite a bit more experienced, had no problem using him. Emma used the word that described herself perfectly...a leech, and that's what she was, and not in a good way at all. She didn't think well of Braedon at all. Whenever he stepped in and saved her from one scrape or another, she repeatedly thought things like, "she had never seen him in such a way" or she had "never considered him an intelligent man". So she was believing him to be a dunce and used him to her advantage. Disgusting.
There was too much fluff in this story. It really didn't have to be as long as it was. Introspection has its place, but when it takes up several chapters in a row, that goes beyond the pale. It was boring, brash, and poorly done. The more one read, the worse the book got. There were a lot of things that were not era-appropriate. The verbiage was too modern, as were ideas, actions, and other aspects of the story.
Yes, definitely the worst book of the series, with only one to go, and that's saying something as I have not liked just about every single volume in this series. There were one or two exceptions, but this was an atrocity. It did not earn even a one-star rating. There was just too much wrong with this story.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews