TALL, DUKE, AND DANGEROUS - Megan Frampton
A Hazards of Dukes Novel – Book 2
Avon
ISBN-10: 006286744X
ISBN-13: 978-0062867445
ASIN: B0847P4G72
October 27, 2020
Historical Romance
Nash, the Duke of Malvern, is a handsome but gruff and uncommunicative man who gives away few of his feelings. His mother ran away from his
father when he was ten years old. A mean and abusive man, his father
often beat his wife and son. Once his wife left, he only showed his son
the despicable and debauched parts of society. Nash is afraid to
intermingle with people, afraid to unleash any violence on them, as his
father told Nash he took after him in every way. Nash has hunted for his
many illegitimate siblings and helped them in their lives. All of his
servants are half-siblings (they wanted to do this). He has no intention
of marrying until his grandmother, the Duchess of Malvern, visits and
tells him he must—she tells him his cousin and heir (who he is
unfamiliar with) is just like his father, and to prevent this man from
becoming the next duke, he needs to choose a wife so he can produce an
heir, but a woman willing to live separate lives.
Ana Maria resides with her cousin Thaddeus, the Duke of Hasford, in far
better conditions. Her stepmother, the former Duchess of Hasford, had
relegated her to servant status as a scullery maid. Now she is Lady
Maria Dutton, and at age twenty-eight, having her first season. She,
however, is now determined to do things her own way and make her own
decisions. Outside of her brother Sebastian, who was declared
illegitimate as told in the first Hazards of Dukes novel, NEVER KISS A
DUKE, and her cousin Thaddeus, the only person she knows is Nash. The
four of them played together as children. She understands Nash's clipped
words and growls and other non-verbal communications. While he doesn't
seem to want her, she becomes determined to have him.
These two seem fated for each other, yet Nash's preconceptions about
himself and of love make it impossible, but Ana Maria attracts him more
than any of the ‘eligibles' on his grandmother's potential wife list.
Does Nash use violence? Yes, in proscribed situations. Is Ana Maria
allowed to do whatever she pleases? Her brothers and Nash all know she
doesn't know the dangers of society. Both Nash and Ana Maria are hunted
by potential mates for their wealth, causing some interesting scenes.
Two questions came to mind as I read the story. The first is how could
Ana Maria's father, the duke, let his wife treat his daughter so
shamefully? The second, how could two dukes live so close as to be
neighbors? Yet the emotional and unique situations in TALL, DUKE, AND
DANGEROUS are what carry the story and make it a good and interesting
read.
Robin Lee