Years ago Clayton Galbraith, the Duke of Penthurst was involved in a duel with one of his closest friends, Baron Lakewood. He fully intended to fire away from his target, but it appeared to him that Lakewood stepped directly into the bullet's path. Their three mutual comrades steered clear of him for a long time, believing him guilty of murder. Only recently have more details come to light, and it appears that indeed, Lakewood chose death rather than face up to the consequences of some of the things he'd done.

While their friendships are (mostly) mended, there is someone else who won't forgive Penthurst. Lydia Alfreton, who is sister to Southwaite -- one of Penthurst's reconciled friends, was in love with the deceased Baron Lakewood, though no one else knew of it. Their relationship never progressed beyond a kiss, but still, Lydia holds Penthurst responsible for Lakewood's death. Since then, she has become a shadow of her former self. She is dull, and vacant, and only appears to come alive when she is gambling. Lydia is also harboring another secret. It appears she is being blackmailed. Penthurst encounters Lydia while she is physically struggling with her blackmailer, who is attempting to abduct her. He saves her, but the ensuing fracas draws an audience, and sets the stage for a scandal. In order to avoid it, they agree to marry.

Neither of them wanted to marry, and Lydia particularly still harbors a grudge. Despite this, they have a very strong physical relationship, though there's no emotional intimacy. As the story unfolds, we learn the details of Lydia's blackmail, the truth of her relationship with Lakewood, and what exactly he was involved in that would make him choose to die. I found Penthurst to be honorable, caring, protective and likeable. I'll always root for someone who has been unjustly accused. Yet, Lydia was very hard for me to like for most of the book. She was cold, even cruel at times. She called herself a woman of the world, yet didn't act very intelligently. The author, Madeline Hunter, did an excellent job of showing us Lydia's metamorphosis, as she realizes the extent of Lakewood's deceit, and begins to see the true worth of her husband, and the mistakes she has made.

THE ACCIDENTAL DUCHESS is the fourth book of the Fairbourne Quartet. I don't think it's a must to read the first three because you are given enough background in this book to follow the story, but doing so will add to your enjoyment. For those who have followed the series, THE ACCIDENTAL DUCHESS nicely ties up the loose ends, and is a must read. I recommend the whole series.

Book Summary

From New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter comes this seductive tale of a headstrong young lady, a scandalous manuscript, and the iron-willed duke determined to save her from her ruin. For fans of Mary Balogh, Eloisa James, and Julia Quinn.

When Lady Lydia Alfreton is blackmailed over the shocking contents of a manuscript she once wrote, she must go to the most desperate of measures to raise the money to buy back the ill-considered prose: agreeing to an old wager posed by the arrogant, dangerous Duke of Penthurst. At least Penthurst is a man she wouldn’t mind fleecing—and she’s confident she’ll win.

Penthurst long ago concluded Lydia was a woman in search of ruinous adventure, but even he is surprised when she arrives at his house ready to bet her innocence against his ten thousand pounds—a wager he only proposed to warn her off gambling.

When she loses to a simple draw of the cards, Lydia is shocked. Now, her problems are twofold: a blackmailer determined to see her pay and a duke determined to tame her rebellious ways. One misstep and Lydia could find herself ruined—or bound to the seductive man who would make her his duchess.