Synopsis
Driven into exile years earlier, due to family scandal, Declan Sinclair is called home, devastated to discover his brother has been murdered and he’s the new Duke of Darington. When clues point to the man he blames for both his exile and his brother’s death, Declan resolves to ruin the culprit. If only the daughter of the man’s business partner, lovely Lady Alethea Swinton, didn’t tempt his resolve.
Lady Alethea Swinton has cultivated her pristine reputation in the hopes of winning her father’s praise. When her childhood friend returns, Alethea finds she’s willing to court scandal and defy her father to help the handsome Declan uncover the truth behind his brother’s death. Until she realises Declan’s redemption will mean her family’s ruin.
Lady Alethea Swinton has cultivated her pristine reputation in the hopes of winning her father’s praise. When her childhood friend returns, Alethea finds she’s willing to court scandal and defy her father to help the handsome Declan uncover the truth behind his brother’s death. Until she realises Declan’s redemption will mean her family’s ruin.
Review
It's an interesting story. When a 'scandalous' returns to London after years everyone starts talking about him. There is sadness and mystery revolving around Declan Sinclair's life. By sending him away his family had tried to protect him from everything that followed the scandal of his father committing suicide. But now that he is back it appears that things are not much different. People still remember everything that happened so many years ago but more than that he is still driven to prove his father's innocence and find out the truth behind his brother's death.
Lady Alethea and her twin are Declan's childhood friend. He wants them to be just that once again. Apparently it won't be that easy. There is too much between their families. They will never be carefree children that they were once upon a time. In addition to this now that they're grown up he realises how attractive he finds Alethea, unfortunately he has no plan to stay in London long enough to do something about that.
Alethea realises that Dec has changed. He is no longer the same person but she still loves him as much as she always has. Only if there was a way for them to be together....
I quite enjoyed reading this book. I loved the story, I think it's perfect combination of romance and mystery. It's well written and characters are all likable. I loved the interaction between Alethea and her twin. They've both become my favourite characters. I think any historical fiction fan will enjoy this story of scandal, mystery, and mayhem.