The Scarred Duke's Gamble: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Patricia Haverton

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is about a soldier returned home and his father and brother ruthlessly murdered. After staying out of society for a long period of time, which included him healing from his war wound; he is accused of damaging the carriage, so he can gain the title. He goes back into society to find the murderer and meets Grace, a diamond in society. He uses a courtship to help him regain his reputation and get close to the family he suspects has killed his father and brother. Grace agrees to the faux courtship but believes he after Caroline. I wish Grace was more mature, her tantrums and avoiding the Duke when she realizes she is in love with him is so childish for a woman in her fourth season. When I was that age, I was more clever in hiding my feelings and getting what I wanted. The worst part is that these two wear their hearts on their sleeves like badges and neither one could see the love shining out of each others eyes. Why is it that everyone in these stories hides from their feeling and become immature little children? I was pleased that the Duke acted like a man when he realized he was in love with Grace and acted like a mature man. The story is well written and follows a well developed plot with a surprising twist to the mystery interwoven in the story.