A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby

West Indian heiress Patience Jordan becomes a widow and loses custody of her infant son after her husband's death in 1814 London. She takes a position as her son's nanny under a false identity to remain close to him, now living in the household of his guardian, the Duke of Repington. The Duke of Repington, a decorated war hero, returns home to manage his new ward's estate and household. He encounters mysterious circumstances surrounding the child's late father and must navigate his duties as guardian while recovering from his own war injuries. The story follows Patience's efforts to protect her son while maintaining her deception, as she and the Duke develop an unexpected connection. Their interactions take place against a backdrop of societal constraints, family obligations, and questions of trust. This historical romance explores themes of motherhood, identity, and the intersection of duty and desire in Regency-era Britain. The narrative addresses race, class, and power dynamics through the lens of a West Indian woman navigating British aristocratic society.

Readers found the premise unique with its focus on a West Indian heiress and inclusion of both romance and mystery elements. The baby's presence throughout the story added depth to the relationships. Liked: - Historical accuracy and research into West Indian culture - Strong female friendships - Complex portrayal of PTSD and disability - Integration of social issues without overshadowing romance Disliked: - Slow pacing in first half - Limited chemistry between main characters - Some found the writing style choppy - Several readers noted confusion about timeline and character motivations "The historical details were rich but the romance felt underdeveloped," noted one Amazon reviewer. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (1,000+ ratings) BookBub: 3.9/5 (300+ ratings) Multiple readers mentioned looking forward to other books in the series despite issues with pacing and romance development in this first installment.

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🎭 Author Vanessa Riley holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering and previously worked as a technology director before becoming a full-time writer. 👶 The novel's premise was inspired by the true historical practice of the British Court of Chancery taking custody of orphaned children from their surviving parents. 🏛️ The book is set in 1814 Regency England but uniquely features a West Indian heiress as its protagonist, highlighting the often-overlooked diversity of historical London society. 🌟 This book is the first in Riley's "Rogues and Remarkable Women" series, which focuses on the lives of women of color in British high society during the Regency era. 💑 The story incorporates elements of the "marriage of convenience" trope while subverting traditional Regency romance expectations by addressing themes of racial prejudice and maternal rights in the period.