His Convenient Duchess

by Louise Allen

A witty Regency romp

"You are a lady of breeding…

And would make an excellent duchess…"

Not the most romantic of proposals, but Marcus Cranford knows it will be accepted for Lady Rose Trafford desperately needs a convenient husband to protect her and her beloved younger sisters. It also saves the new duke from the horror of a London season! Rose is courageous, hardworking, often exasperating… So what Marcus doesn’t expect is this new spark of lust—and the hope that she’s feeling it too… 

From Harlequin  Your romantic escape to the past.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Marriage Of Convenience, Fiction

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2022

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.

I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.

With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.

I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.

My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.

Reviews

[🐝 Shaz 🐝 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed reading Louise Allen books and this one did not let me down. Nice family story, with good characters.

[Mae Kingston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve already read a few Regency romances this season, so maybe I’m becoming a bit more discerning. However, despite the three star rating, I found His Convenient Duchess perfectly fluffy and readable. The characters were easy to root for, and the hero’s protective nature and brotherly affection for the heroine’s sisters was endearing. I appreciated how self-sufficient the heroine was but totally understood the reason for the marriage of convenience.

That being said, there was a little too much back and forth in the middle of the book with the leads misinterpreting one another’s feelings, getting into a silly argument, and apologizing, only to do it again a page later. I would have liked to see them give into the romance a little earlier on. I had almost given up hope on a sex scene with how long it took them to come to terms with their feelings.

However, my main complaint was that the villain was forgiven way too easily, and that has happened a few too many times in my recent reads. I don’t know if it’s because these are romances and the authors don’t want to distract from the happy ending with the villain’s comeuppance, but it’s deeply unsatisfying. The leads spend the entire book trying to escape the heroine's abusive stepbrother, even entering into a marriage of convenience for the purpose of protecting one of her sisters from his plan to marry her off to a cad. This guy almost breaks the heroine’s wrist, for crying out loud! Then, flashforward to the epilogue and he’s walking her down the aisle? Nuh-uh. Give me a redemption arc or give me revenge. Don’t just have the awful guy apologize off-page for the sake of a family reunion at the end.

All in all, I’m sorry I looked down on this genre for so long. I’m having such fun.

[kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have been better!

Good bones but the big M dragged on through most of the story. He loved her but was afraid to tell her. She loved him but was..... Well you get the drift. Frankly halfway through the book they could have expressed their feelings and still had enough chaos and melodrama to finish the book. In contrast the sister being kidnapped by the villain was glossed over and the brother got a slap on the wrist for horrific behavior. So what if he almost broke his sister Rose's wrist. Big deal he helped a thug kidnap his sister Chloe and tried to force her to marry him. How else could he repay his gambling debts. He still gets to go to the wedding and walk the bride down the aisle. Too bad it wasn't barefoot over broken glass.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose Trafford has taken her two younger sisters to the dilapidated Chalton Castle in Wiltshire, the only asset she has, after their brother inherited the title and money and deemed Rose a failure because she had refused seven marriage proposals from men who were not really interested in her.

Marcus Cranford, the new Duke of Northminster is taking account of his properties only to find that one has been sold - the castle Rose Trafford is now living in. So, Marcus makes Rose an offer to buy back the castle, which she refuses.

Then, a letter Rose receives from her brother Charles puts her in fear for her younger sister Chloe, and Marcus Cranford offers to help her out of the dilemma, if she will agree to marry him. Rose has very little choice, although she does like Marcus. Soon, Rose and her sisters are back in London, the impending marriage is announced, and some careful rumors are put about to help Marcus' plans to take Rose's two younger sisters under his care and away from their brother's legal jurisdiction.

Before Rose and Marcus can marry, however, the news of the whereabouts of Rose and her younger sisters reaches their brother and they are soon face to face with his awful plans. Will Charles get his way? Will Marcus ever love her, Rose wonders, or is theirs to be a marriage of convenience only?

I found Marcus' character to be endearing, as well as that of Rose. I also found the stiff-necked character of Rose's aunt to be amusing, as well as some of the secondary characters. All-in-all, a very pleasant read.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern sensibilities in a heroine can be iffy in historical settings but it made sense here given Rose’s situation, her sisters need her to step up, to be the provider and protector for their family, even if society frowns upon her doing so. The author also wisely gave Marcus a background where you could buy into the possibility of him being more open to a woman’s independence than other men of that era may have been.

There isn’t a ton of spice in this one, to the point that when it arrives it felt almost out of place. But I’m not complaining, I’d rather have a slightly jarring tonal shift than what I’ve encountered too often in recent romances where there’s such an emphasis on sex that little room is left for story or developing emotion. The balance between those elements here was much more aligned with my preferences, the falling in love happened gradually enough and the plot is strong, there’s even actual solid reasons for a marriage of convenience, it isn’t just there because now every romance novel “needs” a trending trope.

Family plays a significant role here and I loved that. The younger sisters were endearing and dimensional and this did such a fantastic job of bringing Marcus into their fold, it really enhanced the reading experience to feel like this wasn’t just a couple uniting, it was a whole family.

[Everalice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactement ce dont j'avais envie : une lecture rapide, des personnages attachants, voire même séduisants (Rose et ses deux soeurs, Marcus, Aubrey son secrétaire, le majordome, toute une galerie de figures en arrière plan rendus vivants grâce à une écriture vive et attentive), une intrigue simple mais efficace, et quelques petits pincements au coeur. Louise Allen est une autrice qu'en règle générale, j'apprécie beaucoup, et je suis heureuse d'avoir découvert ce titre. Marcus est un de ces héros qui fait rêver, et dont le charme ne laisse évidemment pas Rose indifférente - soupir. Tous deux, forts, déterminés, et décidés à prendre leur destin en mains, ont toutefois un côté vulnérable qui les rend peu sûrs d'eux au niveau affectif, et les voir peu à peu parvenir à exprimer leurs sentiments a suffi à me faire tourner les pages sans voir le temps passer. Une jolie découverte, donc, après mon enthousiasmante lecture de la série Liberated Ladies dont le dernier opus fait partie de mes meilleures lectures de l'année ! Une de mes réserves portera sur le sort advenu au frère de Rose (emballé en quelques lignes, et une sorte de rédemption, plutôt à côté de la plaque, et trop facile).

[Rod · Rating 4 out of 5]

A steamy story, but only at very nearly the end. The eldest daughter of an earl has taken herself and her two younger sisters to live in a run down 'castle', out of her disreputable brother's range as their parents are dead. The new duke whose ancestors had sold the castle decides he wants it back and so they meet.
I liked the apparent resourcefulness of the sisters, and how they helped and supported each other. It was obvious once we knew of the dastardly brother's plan what would happen, especially when there would be a ball. So it was not too original in that respect, and I do think the eminently sensible pair of main characters would have spoken of how they actually felt a lot sooner, so the story was not that dynamic, or necessarily original. . Did that detract for me? Not in this story which I enjoyed reading. I think given a tried and tested formula it felt like a 'comfortable jumper', and there was nothing in the way it was written to upset that. So is it 3 or 4 stars - I plumped for 4.

[Ritsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd love to give it more star, but something isn't quite clicked in me as a reader. I understand that this is supposed to be a warm, family-oriented-ish, sweet story with likable protagonists, and it almost nails it. Almost, but not quite. I dragged myself through the first third of the book. It went quite well during the misunderstanding arc - which I love. I like it that hero managed to not act like a brute when in denial of his true feelings to the heroine. I also like the heroine. She's brave and smart, without trying too hard. I appreciate that she stirred off from acting too rash and put herself in danger (which likely to happen in many novels with so-called "smart" heroines). However, the story had to be dragged down with the kidnapping plot, which was too long. All ended well, but the lovemaking scene feels a bit out of characters to me.

Overall, nice reading.

[The Book Worm · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Convenient Duchess is a fun and heartwarming historical romance, even if a bit predictable. Both Rose and Marcus make great main characters, though here and there I wished they could communicate better. There's a lot of going back and forth on their feelings - I love him but he can't love me back; I love her but she doesn't feel the same, and so forth. I also wished for a bit more depth to their romance.
However, if you love the genre and are looking for a nice, no-strings attached book to spend a few hours with, His Convenient Duchess is just perfect for that.
This was the first book I've read by Louise Allen but I'm certainly going to look for more of her books now.

[Priscilla Waller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, Light, Frothy Romance

This first in a three book series. It’s a quick fairly uncomplicated plot. There is a Duke but he was a successful merchant and never thought he would inherit a title. There is an admirable heroine who tries to be independent but who is barely keeping her head above water financially . Oh yes there is an evil half brother who hates her. Read it and see what happens.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for something light to read, and had this on my Kindle. It was exactly what I was looking for. Fun and engaging. I liked both of the lead characters, and the secondary characters were fun, too.

[Rosangela · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved

[Rebecca Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the dastardly brother and the FMC being the caretaker for her two younger sisters.

[June Karen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do like this author but this seemed to drag a bit. But still a good read

[Annika Savimägi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Algus oli kobe, aga peategelaste omavaheline keemia polnud usutav ja kangelanna käitumine loo edenedes tundus kummastav ja ei vastanud kohe kindlasti põnevale esmamuljele.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better Louise Allen titles. Slightly anachronistic, and predictable but overall fun.