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This book is part of a series called the Heiress Bride Series. The first book is Desperately Seeking A Duke and the Third book in the series is called Duke Most Wanted.

Calder Marbrook, Marquis of Brookhaven is known as the The Beast of Brookhaven.

When his intended bride Phoebe fell in love with his bastard half brother, Rafe, Calder did not stand in their way- even giving the two a gift of the honeymoon he was to take with his bride. He and Rafe have always had a competitive and difficult relationship. He being the true heir and Rafe who was thrown into his life by his father with the simple explanation of, “this is your new brother.” They were close in age and as much as he wanted a sibling Rafe’s circumstance of birth made it near impossible for them to be true brothers. Until now. He had a fondness for Phoebe but he did not love her. Even though he was standing at the altar and appearances would seem as if he were to wed her he would see his brother have the lady he wanted for a wife.

Calder no longer believed in love. His first wife saw to that when she ran off to be with another man. Then of course there was the suspicion of his having a hand in her death although no one would speak of it to his face.

Now Phoebe’s cousin, the beautiful Deirdre came to him to ask for his hand in marriage. Her cousin Phoebe was lovely but Deirdre was stunning in all ways to make a man lose his wits. Much to his own surprise he found himself saying yes.

She was too beautiful and he had been without a woman for so long. He knew beautiful women were not to be trusted He would partake of the many gifts she offered but not lose his heart. He would be like he knew he had always been, cold and aloof. Only in the privacy of his bed chamber would he allow himself to express his passionate nature with his new bride. He could easily live with the fact that Deirdre, his lovely wife married him for his wealth and the title of Duchess she would one day possess.

Deirdre knew she wanted her grandfather’s inheritance and in order to collect she needed to marry a duke or a marquis who would one day become a duke. She had accomplished her goal. But when she looked into the unfeeling eyes of her husband she felt hollow inside. What had she done? She married a man who did not love her.

When Calder’s secret comes to light upon arrival at his home Deirdre is hurt and angry she is put in such a position that reminded her of painful childhood.

In return for keeping his secret she has chosen to seduce her husband into falling in love with her.

When greedy enemies surface to take away all he has come to love Calder will stop at nothing to save his family. While his new wife must overcome her past to embrace her present and safeguard the little treasure she has come to love as her own.

I loved this book. I was attracted to Calder’s brooding intensity in the first book, Desperately Seeking A Duke. I’ve always loved the tortured heroes the most. His vulnerability touches your heart and you are hoping he is able to let his guard down enough to admit he has fallen in love with his wife.

This book works on all levels for me. I look forward to Sophie’s story next in the final book.

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