The Dutiful Rake

by Elizabeth Rolls

Book Overview

The Dutiful Rake by Elizabeth Rolls released on Jun 24, 2004 is available now for purchase.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373293127
• ISBN13: 9780373293124
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
• Length: 297 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Well-worn path to reading satisfaction!

I am struggling to think what to say about this book because it really was clichéd in terms of regency plotting. However, despite this (or maybe even because of this) I loved it. Rake accidentally drops innocent young girl in the soup and marries her to give her the protection of his name. They are too surprised or, in her case, frightened of their sexual attraction to work through the learning curve of life together. The rake reacts in a predictable way and they quarrel, commence separate lives within marriage, both regretting it but uncertain how to make things better. Eventually they do and she is already pregnant with the much longed for heir. As always, the reformed rake (with a heart of gold) makes the best husband. Sounds familiar? Sounds clichéd? Yes. But it works and it works extremely well in this novel by Elizabeth Rolls. She is new to me - I had only previously read a novella by her in an anthology but this won't be my last time with her. The author writes well and with great skill. I thought her characters were attractive, well-rounded and very appealing and the passion arising between the H/H was well portrayed and highly believable. Despite the predictable plot, the author rises above it and uses the well-worn path to great advantage. My familiarity with it did not breed contempt - instead I enjoyed the book, the pace was right and I loved the feeling of losing myself in a familiar and comfortable plot and enjoying a great story.

MOST EXCELLENT - REGENCY ROMANCE - 7 STARS

REGENCY - remember REGENCY! Having said that - What is not to understand about our characters attitude and especially Winterbourns petty acts of revenge. He just thought he could get away with it. Typical male bullying tactics. And really, who said sex can't be exciting after marriage. Such a delightful change [again] from the contemporary loose females. Meg was a delightful innocent and Marcus, the Earl of Rutherford was a Rake who indulged his baser desired with widows as mistresses. He had no desire to marry [most Rakes don't] but in Regency times the inheritable lineage must be protected. The Regency women had no control over their lives and an advantageous marriage was their normal security. I was waiting for Marc to become suspecious of his friend, Jack Hamilton but he exhibited more brains and trust than I thought he would. Lack of communication between the sexes was very definite in the Regency period and hasn't changed an awful lot in this day and age. Marc showed human decency in offering marriage to Meg and eventually reaped the benefits of love. Great cast of characters - a most enjoyable story - worthy of being a keeper Please, Please, Please, E.R. write Jack's story - he is a wonderful character and we would like to meet the Earl and Meg again. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -- Great story - definitely a keeper for my shelf.

The rake's redemption...

Although Marcus, the Earl of Rutherford, is a confirmed bachelor and a most notorious rake, he knows that he must resign himself to marriage in order to produce an heir. His current air, his cousin, has no desire to become a duke, and would rather spend his time in scholarly pursuits than the duties of a duke. So Marcus, intent on marrying someone just as cynical and hardened as himself, decides to propose a marriage of convenience to a widow with a dubious reputation, his mistress. But before he can do so, he is called out of town to settle his dead great-uncle's estates - and returns to London with a wife! Miss Marguerite Fellowes had spent her life suffering from the scandal of her parents' deaths, always the unwanted relation. When Marcus comes, she is near death from influenza, and because Marcus nurses her back to health, her reputation is in shambles and no one will want to employ her again. So when Marcus proposes a marriage of convenience to her, she accepts, but soon discovers there is a vast difference between Marcus, the private person, and the Earl of Rutherford, his public personality. I read this book directly after reading "The Unexpected Bride" by the same author, and quickly realized that the plot was virtually the same, with a few minor alterations here and there. That was a bit disappointing, since the plot of the former book was still fresh in my mind. Still, I did enjoy this book, but not as much as I probably would have had I waited to read it. As mentioned by another reviewer, all of the disagreements between the hero and heroine could have probably been solved by a long talk, but after learning more about Meg and Marcus's childhoods and personalities, the occurrence of such a talk looked pretty remote unless extenuating circumstances forced them to come clean to one another. I didn't understand Sir Winterborne's fascination with desiring to harm Meg, nor did I understand why Winterborne was so hateful towards Marcus. An explanation was eventually given, but it wasn't a credible one in my view. Also, Marcus' tendency to distance himself from his emotions was never adequately explained for my liking. Oh well, this book was still pretty good, and I'd probably read it again.

superb historical romance

His sister and his aunt rage at Marcus Langley insisting that the thirty-five year old rake marry and have a son so that the line can continue. The angry Duke knows he needs a spouse, but detests the pushy interference of his relatives. He scares them by showing interest in a loose widow.Marcus travels to his newest estate that he inherited from a penny-pinching great uncle. He is shocked to see the horrendous condition of Fenby and even worse how ill resident Marguerite Fellowes is. He brings in the doctor and nurses the sick woman back to health. He also spends money to help the impoverished tenants. Marcus knows that he has compromised Marguerite, but concludes that he had no choice. When she recovers, they argue about her future. Ultimately, he offers her a marriage of convenience in which after the heir is born they go their own separate ways. However, they fall in love and Marcus wants to renegotiate the deal, but has to convince his spouse even while his enemy sniffs after his beloved wife like a prize.Although at first brush, THE DUTIFUL RAKE seems typical of the Regency sub-genre with an innocent woman and a rake falling in love. However, the superb historical romance insures that the initial look at the lead couple is peeled away so that the true inner essence of kindhearted caring souls emerge with the twist that Marguerite has the scandalous background. The story line focuses on the lead duo with the support cast (friends, family, and foes) enhancing what the reader knows about this delightful pair. Readers will demand to know the tale of Marcus' pal Jack.Harriet Klausner