Review of Secrets of a Duke: A Chronicle of Misadventures by Martha Keyes

Last week, I published my review of the first book in the Chronicle of Misadventures series by Martha Keyes.  This week, I will be reviewing the second book in the series, "Secrets of a Duke" which is based on a true story.  

I must admit, if the author had not shared that the book is based on a true story, I would have thought the plot far-fetched. Knowing that it actually happened, makes me like the character, William Yorke, even more. 

We meet William Yorke in the first book.  He is the oldest brother of 4 and has already inherited his father's estate and holdings.  The novels are set in England during the 1800's where the first born son inherits everything instead of dividing property and assets between siblings.  That way, the family name maintains the wealth, a higher status in society and the original estate is not subdivided or transferred outside of the patriarch's ancestral bloodline.  If a man only has daughters, his property is entailed to the closest male heir, which could easily be a distant relative he may not even know personally.  Ideally, a Duke would raise his son to follow in his footsteps, teach him how to run the estate, prepare his son to succeed him in parliament, and choose an equally trained wife.

An entailment to a distant male relative is the basis of the plot of this book.  The Duke of Rockwood knew the Yorke family, but was not fond of them.  Therefore, the two families did not interact with each other, which left William unprepared to be the Duke's successor.

 

Secrets of a Duke Book Synopsis

 Secrets of a Duke (A Chronicle of Misadventures Book 2)Check Price

At the end of the first book, "Reputation at Risk", we find out that William Yorke has unexpectedly become the Duke of Rockwood. No one could have anticipated that the previous duke and his sons would all die together in a tragic accident. Therefore, William is far from prepared to step into the dukedom and assume the Duke's responsibilities.  William hires a friend from his Oxford days to advise him and serve as his man of business.  Since their time at Oxford, Edmund had become a barrister (lawyer) and worked as the steward to an earl.  As a trusted friend, he was the perfect man to help William navigate the world of the titled nobility.  William did not wish to dishonor his family by making avoidable missteps.  There would be many watching and waiting for the opportunity to criticize his actions.

After attending the funeral and completing additional business, William and Edmund embark on their journey from London to his newly inherited estate.  When they stop at an inn for the night, William is surprised to see a woman serving as the ostler and holding the horses while they step out of the carriage.  He is even more surprised when that same woman knocks on his room door a bit later.  He had not realized he had dropped his signet ring in the entry of the inn.  Thankfully, she found it and returned it to him.  He was amazed by her integrity, but when she spoke, he was even more astonished by her refined manner of speech.  

The next day he observes that same maid being pulled to the market square.  Her cheek was cut, her hands were tied and a horse's halter was around her neck.  William was aghast!  When he asked a passing boy what was happening, he was informed that the men were selling her.  He simply could not stand by and let her be sold like livestock to the highest bidder in the crowd, but that was exactly what was going to happen.  Even though Edmund advised him against it, William determined to be the highest bidder.  He would buy her freedom.

Clara couldn't believe what was happening.  The embarrassment of being sold, plus having the Duke observe the auction, was shameful.  She had no idea how to respond when he actually bought her.  She was panic stricken when she realized he planned to simply leave her there and requested a job on his estate.  

Once again, against Edmund's advice, William decided to help her and hire her as a housemaid.

 

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That is only the beginning of how William Yorke, the Duke of Rockwood, and a lowly housemaid became friends, confidants, and allies in working toward another loved ones freedom.

 

 

Review of Secrets of a Duke: A Chronicle of Misadventures by Martha Keyes by:

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Review of Reputation at Risk: A Chronicle of Misadventures by Martha Keyes

For sometime now, I have considered Martha Keyes one of my favorite authors.  She always delivers a sweet and clean romance with witty repartee between the characters.  Her "Chronicle of Misadventures" series is no exception and kept me so entertained that I couldn't put the books down to sleep.  Plus, I immediately downloaded the next book as soon as I finished each one.

"Reputation at Risk" is the perfect place to start.  There are 3 brothers in the series who each meet their future wives, but none of the relationships are a guaranteed success in the beginning.  All of the plots are fabulous and unique.  

As in all great Regency Romance novels, the setting is England, in the early 1800's where families, titles, age, etc. mattered.  A woman's value is determined by the prominent man in her life; first her father, then her husband.  Her personal accomplishments are not a consideration, unless they are related to her value as a bride or wife.   

 

Reputation at Risk Book Synopsis

 Reputation at Risk: A Chronicle of Misadventures Book 1Check Price

Charlotte Mandeville is not trying to "hook" a husband like most young women of the 1800's in England.  She is simply trying to save money to provide for her mother, her sisters and herself since her father recently died.  The women are all awaiting the heir of their home and their inevitable need to find somewhere else to live.  Charlotte wants to be financially prepared.  In the meantime, Charlotte secretly draws caricatures of members of the "ton".  Her artwork is purchased by the owner of the inn in town and he displays it in his front window.  The innkeeper happily pays Charlotte for each of the popular one-of-a-kind caricatures.  The new, weekly caricatures draw quite a bit of attention and business to his inn and tavern.  The more scandalous actions depicted in the caricature, the more attention they draw as people speculate about the subject, as well as the artist's identity.  Clearly, the artist knows their subjects well.  However, no one would suspect Charlotte Mandeville is the artist.  The source of the gossip varies since it is based on overheard conversations within the inn.  One of the waitresses, Mary, shares the stories with Charlotte, then Charlotte draws the caricature and delivers it to the innkeeper or waitress when no one is looking.  

While waiting on one particularly busy day in the inn, Charlotte finds a small book hidden under a table and sticks it in her purse hoping for a fresh bit of gossip and replaces it with the new caricature for Mary to retrieve later.  When Anthony Yorke finds a caricature in place of the book he sought under the table, he recalls seeing Charlotte with her hands under that very table when he arrived at the inn.  Had she taken the book?  Anthony needs that diary to save his brother from being hung for a murder he did not commit.  He absolutely has to find that diary, which means he has to find that woman!  Once he obtains her name and address, he leaves the inn intending to first meet with his informant, and then with Miss. Mandeville if she, in fact, has taken the diary.

That is when life for Charlotte becomes a lot more interesting.  She, herself, could become the subject of gossip if not extremely careful.

Anthony Yorke finds himself entangled with Charlotte Mandeville and caught in an unexpected predicament just trying to protect his brother.

 

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The drama that follows the diary discovery is quite entertaining for the reader, especially the hopeless romantic who loves a touch of mystery and intrigue.

The things I love most about Martha Keyes' books are the witty banter between her characters and the unusual dilemmas they seem to get themselves into.  Meeting secretively with a man, regardless of the reasons why, is certainly putting a reputation at risk.

Review of Reputation at Risk: A Chronicle of Misadventures, Book 1 by Martha Keyes by:

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