Wild Randalls, book one
A lady should be the image of elegance and calm, but those words have never applied to Mercy, Duchess of Romsey. A widow and mother, Mercy is lonely and floundering to keep the estate afloat. When she discovers the existence of Leopold Randall, her husband’s estranged cousin, Mercy immediately offers to help him locate his missing siblings if he helps her return the estate to order.
Leopold has returned to Hampshire for only one purpose—to learn the fate of his missing siblings. Unfortunately, the current duchess is clueless and out of her depth. Her struggle tugs at Leopold’s sense of duty and her bold nature tempts him unbearably. When Leopold discovers their lives are forever entwined, he vows to protect Mercy and her innocent son.
Engaging the Enemy is a steamy regency romance novel.
- Single Mum Duchess
- Secret Baby
- Second Chance
Read an Excerpt
No matter how much time had passed since his last visit to Hampshire, Leopold Randall, heir to the young Duke of Romsey’s title, would rather return to exile in India than beg help from Romsey Abbey. If not for his quest to be reunited with his family, two brothers and sister, Leopold would never have desired to set foot on Romsey soil again.
He stared across the mist-shrouded valley to where Romsey Abbey, a sprawling mishmash of architectural foolishness, slowly revealed itself in the early morning light, and the place filled Leopold with a growing sense of foreboding. All his life, he had gazed at the place that had been the home of his ancestors and wished he might have been born into another family.
The stench of betrayal lie thick upon Romsey Abbey. Even when the duke in question was too young to understand the power he would one day wield, his existence was far from innocent, steeped in lies. Born and bound in deceit. The Romsey dukes crushed those who stood in their way without a passing thought for the pain they would inflict. Leopold’s side of the family had suffered such a fate, scattered them to the four corners.
Leopold had been denied any return to England in the past five years. His existence considered both a threat and a commodity for the old duke’s schemes. The last time he had been summoned into His Grace’s presence, Leopold had made a bargain with the old devil to keep his brother’s and sister safe. Even if he’d not had any choice in the matter, the memory of that night still haunted his dreams and robbed him of any peace.
Behind him, in humble whitewashed cottages, the sleepy village came to life. They were happy, secure in their lives, confident in the benevolence of the Duke of Romsey, and the continuation of years of endless tradition, pomp and ceremony. Going about their days with no idea of the ugly, calculating power of the family he was sadly a part of.
Leopold slipped a pistol into his hand, finding reassurance in the familiar weight, and then let it go in disgust. Three months ago he’d been sweltering in Surat on the banks of the Tapti River, unaware of the changes at Romsey, going about the old duke’s business with no idea he was free. The news he had died a year and a half ago had pleased him. But it was only by chance that he’d heard the duke’s only son, his cousin Edwin Randall, had also died six months after acceding to the title. To say he was shocked was an understatement.
Now, only a child stood between him and gaining the title of the Duke of Romsey.
Somewhere in the depths of hell, the old Duke of Romsey must be writhing in agony.
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English Edition – Book Info
Publish Date: February 2012
Digital ISBN: 978-0-978261-90-8
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-978261-91-5
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Translations
Related Books
Wild Randalls Series
1: Engaging the Enemy (Leopold and Mercy)
2: Forsaking the Prize (Tobias and Blythe)
3: Guarding the Spoils (Oliver and Elizabeth)
4: Hunting the Hero (Constantine and Rosemary)