Brilliant narration of an enchanting romance

A welcome audiobook that is the first of the series of three novels filling in the approximately 15 years gap between the first 2 novels of the Roxton series: Noble Satyr and Midnight Marriage.

This novel has a slower pace than the other Roxton books presenting the happy daily life of the Duke of Roxton and his wife Antonia with their infant Julian. Lord Vallentine, banished from home by his pregnant wife, the Duke’s sister, stays with the ducal family and is the cause of or participant in several humorous situations.

The short insights into the Duke’s childhood help us better understand his arrogance and sarcasm and apparent lack of feelings from the time before he fell in love with Antonia. We also find out in detail how Martin Ellicott, the Duke’s valet, became a gentleman with means living in a house in the outskirts of Bath.

From the very beginning, in spite of the general happiness, I could not help having an increasing feeling of some kind of storm being in preparation. Amidst all the happy moments, Lucinda Brant excellently builds up the tension. We do not know anything for sure yet but the questions are already there. Can the exiled Comte de Salvan spoil the happiness of the ducal family? Is the Salvan heir, otherwise a quite sympathetic young man, a tool in the villain count’s hands?

Brilliant narration from Mary Jane Wells. The voices she gives to each character match their traits and character.

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sweet continuation

Enjoyed it very much. it was a sweet continuation of Renard and Antonia's life 10 months after they got married and she had baby Julian.
The narratore Mary Jane Wells wad very good. Now on to Her Duke.

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Delightful listening

This book is part of the Roxton series so you’ll get maximum enjoyment if you read Noble Satyr first, although you’ll enjoy this regardless. Antonia is now Duchess of Roxton and living with her Duke near the palace of Versailles. Their lives take an interesting turn when Valentine, the Duke’s best friend, suddenly arrives with a mountain of baggage. An even more interesting event befalls the Duke’s valet, Ellicot, who could not possibly have anticipated this dramatic change in his circumstances. Mary Jane Wells brings all the characters in the story to vibrant life. I had a wonderful time with them all and loved the wonderful clothes, food and surroundings. Lucinda Brant creates such a beautiful world that I can’t wait to dive right into the next book (Her Duke).

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