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Regency #4
The Duke
One of Catherine Coulter's first novels—lavishly rewritten.
The #1 New York Times bestselling author turned The Generous Earl into The Duke—and fans swooned over the tale of romance and suspense set in 19th-century Scotland.
Penderleigh Castle is the home of the Robertsons, who have just been dealt a terrible blow. Their new master, already an English duke, has just been named the Scottish Earl of Penderleigh.
Ian Carmichael, Duke of Portmaine, is proud, aristocratic, handsome as the devil’s right hand, and kinder than any grousing Robertson has a right to expect. Brandy Robertson—the old earl’s granddaughter—takes one look at the duke and her heart goes ballistic. The problem is, the duke is already engaged, and if that isn’t bad enough, someone wants to kill him...
The #1 New York Times bestselling author turned The Generous Earl into The Duke—and fans swooned over the tale of romance and suspense set in 19th-century Scotland.
Penderleigh Castle is the home of the Robertsons, who have just been dealt a terrible blow. Their new master, already an English duke, has just been named the Scottish Earl of Penderleigh.
Ian Carmichael, Duke of Portmaine, is proud, aristocratic, handsome as the devil’s right hand, and kinder than any grousing Robertson has a right to expect. Brandy Robertson—the old earl’s granddaughter—takes one look at the duke and her heart goes ballistic. The problem is, the duke is already engaged, and if that isn’t bad enough, someone wants to kill him...
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
161 people are currently reading
908 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
February 2, 2016
not good, all these chapters on the secondary characters bore me to tears.
March 29, 2020
Castle is the home of the Robertsons, who have just been dealt a terrible blow. Their new master, already an English duke, has just been named the Scottish Earl of Penderleigh.
Ian Carmichael, Duke of Portmaine, is proud, aristocratic, handsome as the devil’s right hand, and kinder than any grousing Robertson has a right to expect. Brandy Robertson—the old earl’s granddaughter—takes one look at the duke and her heart goes ballistic. The problem is, the duke is already engaged, and if that isn’t bad enough, someone wants to kill him...
This story makes you wonder what happen next as any detective and romantic suspense story. I really enjoyed it and I am not flattering. And I liked that Ian, the main male character of this story, kept his loyalty to his fiancee (despite that he realized she wanted his money, not him) except other characters of other series written by Mrs Coulter. I am not a fan of cheating in the books and reality, of course, that's why I respect such man's behavior. Brandy is also an amazing main female character whom Ian meets in Scotland and because of her attitude towards him, he realizes what means a real love. She changes Ian in the best way. I like when characters have such good influence on each other if they stay together or fall in love with each other. It makes the story so catching and enjoyable for reading.
The most tensed part was when Brandy saved Ian from bullets and covered him by her body. I was shocked, reading, and couldn't stop until I finished it. I love the stories that make you being on pins and needles and make you do not stop reading even you wanna sleep. I barely do a big pause while I am reading some books if, of course, they are not too boring for me. Lol.
However, Ian and Brandy's love story was worth to check and read.
The greatest thing of this series - all books of it have a detective line! I so love it!
Cannot wait to check other stories!
Ian Carmichael, Duke of Portmaine, is proud, aristocratic, handsome as the devil’s right hand, and kinder than any grousing Robertson has a right to expect. Brandy Robertson—the old earl’s granddaughter—takes one look at the duke and her heart goes ballistic. The problem is, the duke is already engaged, and if that isn’t bad enough, someone wants to kill him...
This story makes you wonder what happen next as any detective and romantic suspense story. I really enjoyed it and I am not flattering. And I liked that Ian, the main male character of this story, kept his loyalty to his fiancee (despite that he realized she wanted his money, not him) except other characters of other series written by Mrs Coulter. I am not a fan of cheating in the books and reality, of course, that's why I respect such man's behavior. Brandy is also an amazing main female character whom Ian meets in Scotland and because of her attitude towards him, he realizes what means a real love. She changes Ian in the best way. I like when characters have such good influence on each other if they stay together or fall in love with each other. It makes the story so catching and enjoyable for reading.
The most tensed part was when Brandy saved Ian from bullets and covered him by her body. I was shocked, reading, and couldn't stop until I finished it. I love the stories that make you being on pins and needles and make you do not stop reading even you wanna sleep. I barely do a big pause while I am reading some books if, of course, they are not too boring for me. Lol.
However, Ian and Brandy's love story was worth to check and read.
The greatest thing of this series - all books of it have a detective line! I so love it!
Cannot wait to check other stories!
April 1, 2014
I don't really care for romance novels that double as mysteries (and especially murder mysteries). Either the romance, the mystery, or both always seem to come up short in such combinations. The ending was predictable. In fact, the obvious villain (the Red Herring) was so obvious that it made the reader instantly assume that he was, in fact, not the villain. If you make someone stand out too much, it's virtually guaranteed that they did do it. =/
As for the romance, I was disappointed. It was another one of those unions in which you can't really figure out why the characters love eachother. No reason is given, no explanation as to why this particular woman breaks through the clouds and brings him daylight, or vise versa, blah, blah, blah.... If you can't make me believe they belong together, I just end up seeing the union as a shallow match between powerful money and pretty innocence, which makes me dislike both of them.
As for the romance, I was disappointed. It was another one of those unions in which you can't really figure out why the characters love eachother. No reason is given, no explanation as to why this particular woman breaks through the clouds and brings him daylight, or vise versa, blah, blah, blah.... If you can't make me believe they belong together, I just end up seeing the union as a shallow match between powerful money and pretty innocence, which makes me dislike both of them.
could-not-finish
September 28, 2017I rate this book -0 Stars and relegate it to my too awful to Finish shelf
This book is supposed to be based on earlier, shorter Signet Regency Romance "The Generous Earl," and the Gen Earl is Much Better!
Initially I was exited about the Duke. I had high hopes because I thought I would be getting more of what I loved in TheGenerous Earl--and I did love that book. I have reread I many, many times over the years. I liked it so much that I tried to find old Signet regencies by this author written before she "made it big."I thought the Duke would be an expansion of the earlier book, but it isn't. It is a longer rewrite of the earlier, shorter book. The Duke was terrible!!!! It was unreadable. It does not compare favorably with its predecessor.
This book is supposed to be based on earlier, shorter Signet Regency Romance "The Generous Earl," and the Gen Earl is Much Better!
Initially I was exited about the Duke. I had high hopes because I thought I would be getting more of what I loved in TheGenerous Earl--and I did love that book. I have reread I many, many times over the years. I liked it so much that I tried to find old Signet regencies by this author written before she "made it big."I thought the Duke would be an expansion of the earlier book, but it isn't. It is a longer rewrite of the earlier, shorter book. The Duke was terrible!!!! It was unreadable. It does not compare favorably with its predecessor.
December 7, 2022
Not worth your while.
March 6, 2020
This was originally called "The Generous Earl" & was copyrighted 1981. The publisher changed the name of the book in 1995. This is the copy I have. This is an old school romance set in Regency Scotland. I've read it one time & it was thrown on my shelf not to be looked at again until 2020!
This one is going in the resale pile.
I'm a little shocked at the 4 & 5 star ratings. This isn't that great of a CC. I liked Lord Harry much better.
There's plenty of angst & grief in this. The heroine has a low self esteem & was brought up by wicked grandparents. They live in an estate in Scotland in genteel poverty. Since both her great uncles were disinherited, after her grandfather's death, the Earldom goes to an English Duke who is a distant relative.
The Duke's a nice guy with a tragic past. His first wife was guillotined in France (long story). He's engaged to a termagant & he's in love with our heroine.
There's lots of side stories. The obligatory "almost rape" of the heroine by her evil cousin. Someone is trying to kill the Duke & the heroine has sex with the hero while he's out of his mind with fever. Frankly, it's just too much.
I can't recommend.
This one is going in the resale pile.
I'm a little shocked at the 4 & 5 star ratings. This isn't that great of a CC. I liked Lord Harry much better.
There's plenty of angst & grief in this. The heroine has a low self esteem & was brought up by wicked grandparents. They live in an estate in Scotland in genteel poverty. Since both her great uncles were disinherited, after her grandfather's death, the Earldom goes to an English Duke who is a distant relative.
The Duke's a nice guy with a tragic past. His first wife was guillotined in France (long story). He's engaged to a termagant & he's in love with our heroine.
There's lots of side stories. The obligatory "almost rape" of the heroine by her evil cousin. Someone is trying to kill the Duke & the heroine has sex with the hero while he's out of his mind with fever. Frankly, it's just too much.
I can't recommend.
March 7, 2020
3.5
In my mind, this isn't really a book; it's a nostalgic memory. When I pick up a regency romance, I anticipate recalling the time when a friend of mine decided to write romances. I agreed to provide feedback. Well, she rolled her eyes and laughed at my first set of comments. Then she gave me some books to read and some authors she admired. After that, I started looking at romances differently; I don't think of them as a romance story, but rather as creative writing. Choice of characters and roles, supportive characters, initial reactions, first kiss, awkward moments, obstacles, 'bad guys,' ... Physical appearance is the only thing I ignore. (It would be so refreshing to stumble across a book where the central characters weren't 'perfect' by today's standards.)
The presentation of one character didn't fit the role in my mind. Now I'm wondering if this character were in the original version of this story or if he/she were introduced in the rewrite. The name?
Some fairly explicit passages; I don't remember that as being typical of this era and genre.
This plot parallels Heyer's The Quiet Gentleman.
My rating probably is meaningless since I didn't read this as a romance but rather as a walk down memory lane ... which was very entertaining.
In my mind, this isn't really a book; it's a nostalgic memory. When I pick up a regency romance, I anticipate recalling the time when a friend of mine decided to write romances. I agreed to provide feedback. Well, she rolled her eyes and laughed at my first set of comments. Then she gave me some books to read and some authors she admired. After that, I started looking at romances differently; I don't think of them as a romance story, but rather as creative writing. Choice of characters and roles, supportive characters, initial reactions, first kiss, awkward moments, obstacles, 'bad guys,' ... Physical appearance is the only thing I ignore. (It would be so refreshing to stumble across a book where the central characters weren't 'perfect' by today's standards.)
The presentation of one character didn't fit the role in my mind. Now I'm wondering if this character were in the original version of this story or if he/she were introduced in the rewrite. The name?
Some fairly explicit passages; I don't remember that as being typical of this era and genre.
This plot parallels Heyer's The Quiet Gentleman.
My rating probably is meaningless since I didn't read this as a romance but rather as a walk down memory lane ... which was very entertaining.
June 16, 2020
It's dreadfully dull. Nothing hapoens and when it does, it's ridiculous. Give it a miss unless you're desperate.
January 7, 2008
sorry to say this, but this is probably one of the weakest stories ever written by ms. coulter. the plot is quite unremarkable (and i really didnt feel much for that thing about them being cousins), and the romance is sadly lacking.
i felt too that the secondary characters were given too much roles or dialogues, thereby resulting in a story that is more of a family drama than a romance tale. i feel bad about reading this one coz i was hoping to find a better novel by ms. coulter after reading a disappointing The Countess.
i felt too that the secondary characters were given too much roles or dialogues, thereby resulting in a story that is more of a family drama than a romance tale. i feel bad about reading this one coz i was hoping to find a better novel by ms. coulter after reading a disappointing The Countess.
Read
April 1, 2011Beyond old skool ... what an old-fashioned Regency, with lashings of some really hoary old cliches: she thinks her figure is too full, she's Nurse Jane to the ailing duke and gives him some hands-on cure ... I read it to the end but it's definitely a share, not a keeper.
August 19, 2011
This book I have read no less than a hundred times since I was nine. AWESOME. I wore out my first copy and had to buy a new one.
December 31, 2020
By and1515
Ian wasn't sure if he was still the luckiest man in London his fiancee Felicity was being to wear him thin the constant chatter was quite frankly hurting his head.
Then he remembered he'd resantly inherited a title and new land in Scotland and it wouldn't do if he ignored his new responsibilities.
Brandy wasn't sure how having some English Lord suddenly inheriting their home and the fears of being homeless among other things laid heavily on her mind.
Brandy never wanted people to see just how deformed she'd grown there for she always covered herself with her shaw.
One would think he'd entered a hunted castle or an insane asylum the way he'd observed the people inside it.
Percy had undoubtedly become the bane of her exsistence and they way he was always watching her made her skin crawl.
Ian was quite curious as to the family tree and enjoyed listening to Brandy as she explained how everyone was related.
Percy was a rude and extremely immature fellow with a foul mouth only other animals would appreciate.
Ian knew they his Aunt was playing dangerous games with people lives and he didn't like the things he'd over heard and more importantly saw.
No he was finally resolved to put and end to her shenanigans once and for all.
Then the worst thing ever happened his odious cousin arrived with his fiancee in tow.
Brandy really hadn't meant to intrude but once she had she simply couldn't stop herself
and he saw her.
She'd been horrified Ian had been hurt and she needed to summon help for him.
Brandy knew he would be able to defend himself for several days and his man had to sleep sometime so she finally explained her brilliant plan.
She tried to reassure him that he would be safe as he continued to rambling about the past. No she hadn't meant for something like that to happen and she really wasn't all that sorry it had.
Ian was fully awake when his man came to check on him and then he saw something and then he knew.
However his final conversation with Felicity did have a some what happier conclusion as he refused to leave Scotland.
Now to deal with his guardian angel she would realize that love play like there's had consequences and he knew eventually he'd persuade her to see things his way.
Ian wasn't sure if he was still the luckiest man in London his fiancee Felicity was being to wear him thin the constant chatter was quite frankly hurting his head.
Then he remembered he'd resantly inherited a title and new land in Scotland and it wouldn't do if he ignored his new responsibilities.
Brandy wasn't sure how having some English Lord suddenly inheriting their home and the fears of being homeless among other things laid heavily on her mind.
Brandy never wanted people to see just how deformed she'd grown there for she always covered herself with her shaw.
One would think he'd entered a hunted castle or an insane asylum the way he'd observed the people inside it.
Percy had undoubtedly become the bane of her exsistence and they way he was always watching her made her skin crawl.
Ian was quite curious as to the family tree and enjoyed listening to Brandy as she explained how everyone was related.
Percy was a rude and extremely immature fellow with a foul mouth only other animals would appreciate.
Ian knew they his Aunt was playing dangerous games with people lives and he didn't like the things he'd over heard and more importantly saw.
No he was finally resolved to put and end to her shenanigans once and for all.
Then the worst thing ever happened his odious cousin arrived with his fiancee in tow.
Brandy really hadn't meant to intrude but once she had she simply couldn't stop herself
and he saw her.
She'd been horrified Ian had been hurt and she needed to summon help for him.
Brandy knew he would be able to defend himself for several days and his man had to sleep sometime so she finally explained her brilliant plan.
She tried to reassure him that he would be safe as he continued to rambling about the past. No she hadn't meant for something like that to happen and she really wasn't all that sorry it had.
Ian was fully awake when his man came to check on him and then he saw something and then he knew.
However his final conversation with Felicity did have a some what happier conclusion as he refused to leave Scotland.
Now to deal with his guardian angel she would realize that love play like there's had consequences and he knew eventually he'd persuade her to see things his way.
April 8, 2020
Imagine riding ye're wee nameless horse and jumping right after it gallops.
That's my experience after reading this book by Coulter. T'is is a mixture of dubious sublime and bloody dawdling. Breed by idyllic existence of the nineteenth century Scottish castles and accents.
Aye, they're both cousins and finally got married after Ian glamorously mayhaps escape from being killed by his English Cousin, Giles.
That's my experience after reading this book by Coulter. T'is is a mixture of dubious sublime and bloody dawdling. Breed by idyllic existence of the nineteenth century Scottish castles and accents.
Aye, they're both cousins and finally got married after Ian glamorously mayhaps escape from being killed by his English Cousin, Giles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2024
Poteva essere un bel romanzo, con un 'mistery' dalla soluzione quasi inaspettata... ma la protagonista è stata improbabile e fastidiosa fin dalla sua prima apparizione. È vero che l'ambientazione di un romanzo finisce con il determinare, almeno in parte, i caratteri dei personaggi... ma le eroine scozzesi di una storia ottocentesca dobbiamo per forza immaginarcele così isteriche?
August 5, 2018
Classic Coulter historical
I was so glad to find this Scottish historical in my library's ebook selection. I remember reading it 20 years ago. I've read it many times. It's a delightful romp with a good plot.
I was so glad to find this Scottish historical in my library's ebook selection. I remember reading it 20 years ago. I've read it many times. It's a delightful romp with a good plot.
July 30, 2020
Good lord this was a heaping pile of shit. If I could give fewer stars I would. The author could not decide whether the fiancée was a lady or a mere miss and used them interchangeably. Same with the heroine. DNF. Would not recommend. Totally wasted my money.
November 14, 2022
My favorite thing about this book was that it took place in Scotland. Some of the conflict between the English and Scottish characters was funny. However the steamy love scenes left much to be desired. I did like the characters of Ian and Brandy they were good characters.
July 19, 2017
I really like this with all it's intrigue and mystery, I never saw dear cousin Giles as a murderer of the dukes wife and attempted murder of the duke.
August 10, 2018
No estoy segura de haberlo acabado, tan desilusionante fue esta lectura. A trozos bien pero otras veces sin ningún interés.
September 27, 2018
The best Regency so far.
August 9, 2019
Great set of books
March 2, 2020
Loved it
February 25, 2022
This was pretty good.
I didn’t like how some of the family were at each other’s throat. Verbally vicious. Other than that the story was good with romance, mystery, and adventure.
I didn’t like how some of the family were at each other’s throat. Verbally vicious. Other than that the story was good with romance, mystery, and adventure.
February 24, 2023
got me halfway out of a reading slump :) much love
January 28, 2025
I expected to really enjoy this one but it seemed awkward and the villian was too much for me.
June 26, 2025
I though this would be more towards a legit historical fiction, but my mistake. Just a complete stereotypical romance with predictable characters and plot.
Read
March 18, 2025The writing in this book was somewhat stilted, so I felt like I was just slogging along. Also, the Scottish characters make heavier use of Scots dialect than Sir Walter Scott. After a few chapters of this, I just could NOT. Back to the UBS it goes.
October 24, 2018
This book is also known under the newer title The Duke. I read both books in tandem. Just to see if there was much difference. But the only thing I noticed was that there were more dialog in the newer book, The Duke. And maybe more explicit love scenes.
June 18, 2010
his was a wonderfully modern regency that really was a fun read. There were so many colorful characters; Brandy, her sisters Constance and Fiona, Grandma Adella, Ian, Felicity and so many more. Its one of Catherine's first books too, and it really shows you how talented she was from the start.
The only gripe I have is that the blurb doesn't quite suit the story. Brandy didn't really try to change her appearance until the very end of the story. Most of the time she kept herself looking dowdy because she was afraid that her blossoming figure was repulsive. That innocence really makes some of Brandy's dealings with her cousin Percy more colorful, because he's quite crude in his assessment of her figure and she seems to not know what he's about. It is a little hard to believe she doesn't have a clue, even in regency England, but it works. Plus her innocence makes her growing love for Ian so much sweeter.
Felicity Tammerley, the Duke's fiancee could very well be voted the character that you would most like to choke. She is the epitome of "bitch." It really makes you wonder how Ian, who is very down to earth and kind managed to propose to her. I think she was really the catalyst for Brandy to wake up to herself. Here she was a beautiful London Lady who was betrothed to the Duke and there she was just a Scottish girl.
I could go on and on about the characters but if you are familiar with Coutler's work you'll know she's no slouch in character development. This is definitely a book that you must read if you can find a copy. It is fantastic to know that Catherine was a fabulous writer from the start.
The only gripe I have is that the blurb doesn't quite suit the story. Brandy didn't really try to change her appearance until the very end of the story. Most of the time she kept herself looking dowdy because she was afraid that her blossoming figure was repulsive. That innocence really makes some of Brandy's dealings with her cousin Percy more colorful, because he's quite crude in his assessment of her figure and she seems to not know what he's about. It is a little hard to believe she doesn't have a clue, even in regency England, but it works. Plus her innocence makes her growing love for Ian so much sweeter.
Felicity Tammerley, the Duke's fiancee could very well be voted the character that you would most like to choke. She is the epitome of "bitch." It really makes you wonder how Ian, who is very down to earth and kind managed to propose to her. I think she was really the catalyst for Brandy to wake up to herself. Here she was a beautiful London Lady who was betrothed to the Duke and there she was just a Scottish girl.
I could go on and on about the characters but if you are familiar with Coutler's work you'll know she's no slouch in character development. This is definitely a book that you must read if you can find a copy. It is fantastic to know that Catherine was a fabulous writer from the start.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews