The Duke's Dark Secret

· The Astley Chronicles Book 4 · Hazel Grove Books
5.0
2 reviews
Ebook
376
Pages
Eligible
Ratings and reviews aren’t verified  Learn More

About this ebook

Winner of the 2024 Maggie Award- Best Published Historical Romance


Secrets, Lies, and a Lock

Ever since her father’s unexpected death, Cecilia Chenoweth has felt like the heroine of a bad Gothic novel. In addition to leaving her alone and destitute, her father made a deathbed confession that it was no mere fever that took her mother’s life some twenty years ago. Then he pressed a sinister key into her hands, bidding her to go forth and uncover the truth. If only she knew where to find the lock that will open to the mysterious key…

Cold, Bold, and Dangerous to Know

There is one man who recognizes the black key bearing the emblem of a snake: Marcus Latimer, the newly minted Duke of Trevissick. Now that his abusive father is rotting in hell where he belongs, Marcus is eager for his life to stop resembling a bad Gothic novel. No one would ever have thought to pair the dangerously handsome duke with the meek little rector’s daughter. But as he helps Cecilia on her quest, Marcus discovers a well of passion hiding behind her sloe eyes that may just be a match for his own.

Two Hearts on a Perilous Path

But Cecilia’s search for the truth about her mother’s death unearths dark secrets from Marcus’s past, secrets that will destroy the new life he has built for his beloved sister and condemn one of the few people he cares about to death. What will he do when he is forced to choose between loyalty… and love?

Ratings and reviews

5.0
2 reviews
Peggy Collins
November 12, 2023
This is a wonderful story with humor, secrets, mystery, greedy relatives, a trial, a steamy affair, and a love almost lost. The characters are very entertaining. Marcus is a rake, has a temper, is hilarious at moments, has a dark secret, and loves his sister and protects her. Ceci is bright, talented, and caring. They are both tough on the outside. Aunt Griselda is a treasure. With so much happening around them, will Marcus and Ceci find a chance for love and a future? It’s possible.
Did you find this helpful?

About the author

After reading Black Beauty for the 1,497th time, Courtney McCaskill was inspired to write her own stories. Reviews of her early work were mixed, with her fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Compton, saying, “Please stop writing all of your essays from the point of view of a horse.”

Today, Courtney lives in Austin, Texas with the hero of her own story, who holds the distinction of being the world’s most sarcastic pediatrician. She is reliably informed by her son that she gives THE BEST hugs, “because you’re so squishy, Mommy.” In 2022, Regency Fiction Writers honored her with its Lady of the Realm award in appreciation of her volunteer work, both on its Board of Directors and as the Coordinator of the Regency Academe. When she’s not busy almost burning her house down while attempting to make a traditional Christmas pudding, she enjoys playing the piano, learning everything there is to know about Kodiak bears, and of course, curling up with a great book. Visit her online at www.courtneymccaskill.com. 

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.