Her Scandalous Marriage

by Leslie LaFoy

The illegitimate daughter of a decadent Lord, the lovely Caroline Dutton has worked hard to become a successful London dressmaker and is content to answer to no man. That is until a devastatingly handsome Duke walks into her shop with the most outrageous demand.The new Duke of Ryland cursed his fate and his philandering great uncle. To collect his inheritance, he must turn the old Duke's three by-blow offspring into proper ladies and marry them off...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312347707
• ISBN13: 9780312347703
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 346 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.3" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Mmm ... Good

Her Scandalous Marriage by Leslie Lafoy was a amusing and exciting novel. Both main characters came from humble beginnings and now are thrown into the society world as Duke and Daughter of a Duke. They are two strong loving characters who fight the world before them -- and find out what really counts in the end. This book has lots of humor, great love scenes and view into the society world.... If you enjoy this genre I would also check out The Lady Lies The Lady Killer and The Lady's Code by Samantha Saxon

Her Scandalous Marriage

Caroline Dutton is happily working in her dress shop when Drayton MacKenzie enters and tells her she has to close up shop and come live with him. Drayton explains that Caroline's father, Geoffrey, asked Drayton upon his deathbed to take care of Caroline and her two stepsisters and to make them into ladies suitable for good marriages. Caroline is an illegitimate child and she was ignored by her father all of her life. She does not want to leave her business, nor does she want money or marriage. Drayton has his work cut out for him. Not only is Caroline fiercely independent, but she is gorgeous and he is very attracted to her. Caroline thinks Drayton is infuriating, condescending and easily the most handsome man she has ever met. Drayton gathers Caroline's two younger sisters, Fiona and Simone. They are about as far from ladies as one could get. Drayton realizes that this is an even bigger undertaking than he thought. Caroline and Drayton can't keep their hands off each other, but a marriage between them is not suitable. Drayton receives advice from his friends regarding his new duties as a duke, but on his own, Drayton must decide what to do about his growing feelings for Caroline. He soon discovers that the burden he was given turns out to be a blessing. Her Scandalous Marriage is a romantic delight. Caroline and Drayton compliment each other so well. They are attractive, witty, kind, and very passionate. The enjoyment they found in each other's company is endearing. Fiona is adorable and Simone is outrageous. I eagerly look forward to reading their stories. Her Scandalous Marriage is a love story about two people who should not have fallen in love, but did. It is very romantic. Nannette Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Quite enjoyable

I have been reading historical romance novels for the last 20 years and know what I like and I liked this book. As one reviewer pointed out that the heroine wasn't a virgin, this usually turns me off to a book right away. I have even stopped reading books when I feel that the female is "slutty". I didn't get that feeling at all. The two main characters had an affectionate and fun relationship. I was glad that I didn't have to wade through 100 pages or more simpering courtship and such. Maybe this is not a "technical" historical romance, but that doesn't take away from this being an enjoyable and relaxing story. If you want something light, where there is romance and a good laugh then gives this book a try.

This one has it all - passion, romance, laughter & love...

This is the first book by LL that I have read. I sought her and a handful of other authors out that I have never read before. I'm always looking for the diamond in the rough. Most of the time, the authors are passable but, not noteworthy. LL is definitely a keeper. I am buying some more of her books and hoping others are as good as "Her Scandalous Marriage" ended up being. The reason I enjoyed this book so much is that there was passion, attraction and seduction but, unlike many books where the couples get together early and the interest wears off....this author was really talented in keeping the plot line going even after the main characters had been intimate many times. Many authors go from innocence to frankly dark and dirty passion much too quickly with characters. And...they have them doing it so often you actually get bored reading about it. In this book, the author did a good job of having suspense and sexual desire and attraction build and because circumstance wouldn't allow it...often they had to tease but, refrain from being together. Thus...the attraction built to a fine level. When they did get together, it was tastefully written, appealing, light and the intensity was just right. Nothing too deep, exotic or dark. The main characters of Drayton and Caroline were not only attractive and beautiful but, definitely funny, quirky and loveable. They were well rounded and easy to bring to life. Authors often make the male lead one way and the female another (either strong and arrogant for the man and simple and naïve for the woman, etc). LL did a fine job of making Drayton and Caroline into real world characters that had blemishes from their past and mistakes along the way but, they were likeable for all their human weaknesses. And...as they got together, all their best qualities continued to shine and they continued to blossom into warm and appealing lead characters. Their world was complex and complete with the additions of Caroline's half sisters of Fiona and Simone, Drayton's friends of Aubrey and Haywood and the many employee's at the estates who loved them - one and all. It was a charming group thrown together kicking and screaming by an old man's dying wishes but, fortunately, his unwanted wishes ended up giving them a family and deep love they never expected. One reviewer said it was boring, hard to read, easy to skim the end and couldn't wait for it to be done. Everyone has their opinion but, if you are looking for more than a sex book, or a book light on romance, than this is the book for you. This book was truly the story of two people who were doing fine on their own and meeting up and realizing that what they thought they wanted was not what they wanted at all. They thought marrying for money to keep their titles and estates in line was what should and had to be done. They didn't think they could give it to happiness, joy and love as that's simply not done in the world of a Duke and a Duchess. Fortunately, they found a

lighthearted regency romance

Drayton McKenzie enters the London dressmaking shop of Caroline Dutton with a scowl on his face. In spite of his frown Caroline ponders how good he would taste thinking carnal thoughts. Drayton introduces himself as the Duke of Ryland. He informs that her father, his late distant relation ignored his illegitimate offspring when he was alive; but blackmailed Drayton from the grave with control of his inheritance to turn the trio into ladies married to proper aristocrats. Caroline as the only adult of the three he assumes is going to be the most difficult as she is set in her ways. Caroline reluctantly agrees to become his student at his country estate. As he trains her to be a lady, Drayton finds he also desires her. However, trying to do the right thing by her he prepares lady Carline for the marriage mart knowing her large dowry will hide much of her past, but if he is not careful he will fail because he is falling in love with his ward; she encourages him, scandal be damned. This lighthearted regency romance will provide plenty of pleasure to sub-genre fans as the pompous and proper Drayton finds he is receiving lessons in love and life from his impish pupil similar in a way to Pygmalion. The antics of the lead duo make for a fun read as he loses his skirmishes with his attraction for her while she thought he would be a carnal delight from the moment he scowled and growled in her shop. Leslie LaFoy provides a fine historical that readers will enjoy. Harriet Klausner