ARC Aug 10/ The Duke's Midnight Bride by Elizabeth Everly updated ARC on 8-7-26

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Elizabeth Everly <elizabeth@elizabetheverly.com>

"She had given up everything for a child who was not hers. He was the first man who noticed there was nothing left."

Lady Beatrice Ellingham crossed two miles of moor in a storm to knock on the door of the most feared man in England.

She arrived soaked through, holding a seven-month-old boy who was not her son. Her sister is dead. The child's father ruins people for sport. And Beatrice has spent her name, her prospects, and every hope she had left keeping that secret safe.

No one has ever asked what it cost her.

The Duke of Ravenshaw has not opened his house to a living soul in seven years. Cold, exacting, content to let society call him monstrous, Magnus Harrington wants nothing but to be left alone. Then the child's father appears on his gravel at dawn, smiling, asking after a young lady he claims to be concerned for.

So Ravenshaw does the one thing that will put her beyond reach. He announces she is to be his wife.

My 5 Star Review Titled:  Humor amidst Dangers

 

I fell in love with Beatrice almost immediately and her maid Martha ran a cross second ! 

They were both stubborn, determined and totally NOT afraid of any duke or debating with him either ! No way were they leaving. Her dead sister was the love of her life. She was delightful, naive and sometimes reckless. Honest to a fault, intelligent t but NOT about charming man. Beatrice and Martha don't they end up totally taking over that cold place. It will never be the same again !  There were so many interesting people in that household that made me smile !

Ned and his volumes of dislikes was hilarious ! And his quick ability to like the Duke and his fancy neck ties and his destroying them antics was also hilarious !!!

 Lord Voss is without a doubt the evil villain of the piece. Charming and all.  Every one in the Duke's house that needs to know; see Voss clearly.  Ravenshaw hates Voss with a passion and wished that he acted on Lady Julia's behalf so much earlier.  Now, no matter what happens he will NOT back down. Even when Voss begins to up the ante with innuendo and gossip spreading at events! Ravenshaw regrets shutting himself in a cold house and pushing everyone away ! Ravenshaw says he never smile and has no sense of humor. Turns out he can smile and has a dry wit ! It didn't really take long to like him either. 

The events are intense and I love  how the whole household of the duke's begins to feel warmer and more welcoming ! They all fall in love with Beatrice, Ned and even the housekeeper has respect for managing, bossy Martha,  Even one of the main gossiper in their social circle is won by Beatrice and she helps turn the tide in their favor too ! I loved that part too.  

I loved the ending and the extended Epilogues !

I was give an ARC by the author and was so glad that I read it !