A DUKE TOO FAR – Jane Ashford
The Way to a Lord's Heart -  Book 4
Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN-10: 1492663441
ISBN-13: 978-1492663447
ASIN: B0821Q372J
April 28, 2020
Historical Romance

Shropshire, England – Early 19 th  century.

The ramshackle ducal estate of Alberdene near the Welsh border has a long history but is falling into ruin. Peter Rathbone, Duke of Compton, struggles to maintain the estate. He inherited after the recent death of his father which was followed by the accidental death of his younger sister, Delia. Although without much funding, Peter feels he has a duty to Alberdene's staff, most of whom have served since before he was born. He is surprised by Arthur Shelton's, the Earl of Macklin, unexpected visit. Macklin had surprisingly invited him to a dinner at White's in London six months earlier along with three other grieving young men. It is a good thing Alberdene has an excellent cook in Mrs. Anselm. His guest enjoys the meal, but Peter batting an invading bat to the floor with a racket is another thing. Then more company arrives: Delia's school mates and best friends.

Ada Grandison found Delia's body. She is determined to find an answer to the paper she found under Delia's mattress. Before her death, Delia told Ada she had solved her family's mystery but said little more about it. Ada's parents allow her to go to Alberdene to help her cope with her grief over her friend's death and with the hope she recovers from it. Ada's and Delia's other school friends Charlotte, Harriet, and Sarah also come along. Her Aunt Julia accompanies the young women as a chaperone for propriety's sake.

Used to isolation due to his circumstances, Peter, at twenty-four, hasn't had visitors and is somewhat socially inept at interactions with young women. He also knows he must fight his attraction to Ada because other than his title, he has nothing to offer her. Ada doesn't care about his lack of wealth, but her family will object. She knows what she wants. First is to solve Delia's mystery, the next is Peter. The dilemma is how to accomplish both?

Robin Lee