

Marlowe from his “domineering” intended wife because she wants him for herself.

Unfortunately, the man is betrothed to the vile Miss Pettigrew, England’s biggest do-gooder prude. In his presence, “…her stomach felt entirely peaceful.” She convinces herself that the warmth she feels towards him is love. He’s very handsome, and his eyes radiate kindness. Prior to her debut ball, Viola meets the new vicar, Mr. He “…realized that his life was satisfying but somewhat cold.” Otis and his sister “…darted in and out of his house like fireflies, shining with warmth and cheer, and he treasured that.” Apparently, the duke has a heart. Devin knows of the Wildes, and Otis enlightens him further.ĭuring the conversation with Otis, Devin has an epiphany of sorts. Across town, Devin tells his cousin Otis that he intends to find a bride during the Season. She’s dreading the ball that will mark her first official appearance in Society. When Viola comes of age, her parents insist she have a debut season along with her beautiful and flamboyant stepsister Joan. At first, this seems merely quaint, but we later find out that he was abusive to Devin. His father was known for challenging nearly every man he came in contact with to a duel. Raised in isolation by parents who despised each other, the duke was educated at home. Living mainly in the country, he shuns society and declines to attend parliamentary sessions. The brute in question turns out to be the Duke of Wynter, Devin Lucas Augustus Elstan, the hero of the story. He speaks cruelly, and long after the incident Viola continues to feel “…a wave of horror at the memory of the man’s scathing voice and his brutal strength.” From then on, she’s petrified of social situations and avoids them. When the man realizes he and his lover are no longer alone, he accuses the woman of arranging for a witness so he’ll be forced to marry her. She accidentally comes upon a couple having a liaison. By her own reckoning, Viola is “…the opposite of a Wilde…timid, tongue-tied, and fairly useless.”Īt her first ball, an apprehensive Viola retreats to a corridor used mainly by servants.

Say Yes to the Duke, the fifth entry in the series features Viola Astley, whose mother is married to the Duke of Lindow. The Wildes of Lindow Castle is a Georgian romance series penned by the elegant writer, Eloisa James.
