Along Came a Lady (All the Duke’s Sins)
Edwina Dalrymple, rejected daughter of an earl, is an independent woman building a career preparing debutantes to enter London society in 1815. Edwina has accrued a great resolve over the years that has given her strength to succeed, despite her secrets. The Duke of Bentley, of immense power and wealth, has offered Edwina a great sum of money to travel to a Staffordshire coal mining village to convince his eldest son, unacknowledged for over thirty years, to return to London society. Edwina finds the proud Rafe Audley has climbed the ranks in the coal mine since he was eight years old, bearing the burden of supporting his siblings, with selfishness and harboring hatred and resentment for the father who sired him. This “Professor Higgins” challenge becomes a war of wits between Edwina and Rafe. Author Christi Caldwell shares an excellent depiction of the elite from a commoner’s viewpoint, and while secrets are revealed, Caldwell still creates doubt all through the “war” regarding Edwina’s chances for success. With foreshadowing of how Rafe could use his power to effect change, readers will enjoy a heart-pounding sprint to the finish.
