What a tangled family! And secrets! So many secrets!

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The Defiant Daughter (Ashmead Heirs #2) by Caroline Warfield       

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️




Madelyn Tavernash, widowed Duchess of Glenmoor, is holding onto a gigantic secret. One that could destroy those she holds dear.

Meanwhile she’s come out of semi solitude to attend her friend Lucy and her half-brother Sir Robert Benson’s wedding. Somewhat off kilter from her unexpected attraction for Rob’s friend Colonel Brynn Morgan, Maddy contemplates her life and the reasons for her retiring to Clarion Hall’s Dower House at Ashmead. Not that we really see much, only hints. The Colonel is part of the security company Rob works with for the foreign office.

After the wedding Maddy consents reluctantly to journey to London staying with the family at her brother David Caulfield, the Earl’s home, Clarion House.  She’s needed to help guide the newly married Lucy through the pitfalls of society.

Serendipityly the answers to many of Maddy’s questions are rudely awakened by the demands of an ill kempt American Isiah Jessop when he confronts her outside Clarion House demanding to know the whereabouts of Gideon Jessop, the half brother of her stepson, Phillip Tavernash, the Duke of Glenmoore. Rob calls in his security detail, whom Maddy dubs the ‘palace guard.’ Answers about Jessop are sought for by Brynn. Not that Brynn even guessed the half of it.

A trip to Wales, to Brynn’s home that he clearly doesn’t want to be near, is unfortunately for him, on the cards. Maddy insists on going much to Brynn’s exasperation. Unexpectedly her stepson, Phillip also turns up. Wales will be an eye opener for all.

I must say though that I lost patience with the Duchess’ prima donna behavior that endangered many.

Still the complexities begin to iron out. I’m sure there’s more to come from this interesting group of people.


A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley 

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