THE DUKES DAUGHTERS: LADY BE RECKLESS – Megan Frampton
The Duke's Daughters – Book 2
Avon Books
ISBN: 978-0-06-266664-2
March 2018
Historical Romance

London 1847

Lady Olivia and her twin Pearl are the Duke of Marymount's third and fourth of five daughters. Their sister Della ran away with the girls' dance master leaving their oldest sister Eleanor to prevent further scandal, but then she married her intended fiancé's younger brother. Now Olivia desires that overlooked fiancé of her sister, Lord Carson. Olivia speaks with truth, but in a very forward, blunt fashion, and often speaks before thinking. She rescues kittens and wants to help orphans and make society fair. Attending one of the evening balls, she decides to propose to Bennet, Lord Carson, but while she had led herself to believe his interest in her, she finds he refuses her. It is most embarrassing.

Edward Woolcott, the illegitimate son of one of the richest men in England tries to make his way through society knowing his birth status determines his worth among the upper class. Most avoid him; except Bennet, who has been his closest friend since school. He overhears Olivia's proposal. When she discovers this, he discovers she doesn't look down on him. Then Bennet suggests Olivia help guide Edward through society so he can find the wife his father wants him to marry. He finds Olivia intriguing, but knows he can never marry her. 

Author Megan Frampton gives a note before the beginning of the story that ‘illegitimacy was a great stigma' in Victorian, England. Edward certainly suffers from this stigma, but his situation is unique. His father loves him. Olivia's often impetuous actions and speech, her quick temper, and willingness to fight against what she determines unfair, attracts him. Kissing him attracts her. Altogether Olivia and Edward are very different types of characters in an unusual love story.

Robin Lee