The Gentleman Spy

 

He only wanted a duchess for a day--but she’s determined to make it a marriage for life

When his father and older brother suddenly pass away, the new Duke of Haverly is saddled with a title he never expected to bear. To thwart the plans of his scheming family, the duke impulsively marries a wallflower. After all, she’s meek and mild; it should be easy to sequester her in the country and get on with his life--as a secret agent for the Crown.

But his bride has other ideas. She’s determined to take her place not only as his duchess but as his wife. As a duchess, she can use her position to help the lowest of society--the women forced into prostitution because they have no skills or hope. Her endeavors are not met favorably in society, nor by her husband who wishes she’d remain in the background as he ordered.

Can the duke succeed in relegating her to the sidelines of his life? When his secrets are threatened with exposure, will his new wife be an asset or a liability?

My thoughts: This book (and series! I highly recommend the first book as well!) was a wonderful addition to my Regency collection! I loved that the story covered something that was taboo back then, but also considered normal, that of the gentry having mistresses on the side. When Charlotte finds out that her pious father has had a mistress on the side for years and that she has a sister, she can't put aside the thought that she must do everything in her power to help. When she marries the Duke of Haverly, she enjoys using her newfound status for good. 

I fell in love with the characters of this story as they learned to work together. I loved seeing how their expectations played out, especially Haverly's. with his trying to keep his wife in a box so he could go about spying. This is such a well done Regency story! 

I received this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.

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