Alexis Hall

A lush, sweeping queer historical romance from the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material—perfect for fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton, Evie Dunmore, and Lisa Kleypas!
When Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood.

Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become.

As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.

A Lady For A Duke

Joan 

I love you as a man loves a woman, but we both know that love is not bound by such narrow terms.

I imagine this is how my mother will be at my wedding… 😂😂😆

Caroline Clutterbuck Kapulkin

Before Viola had a chance to answer, they were interrupted by Lady Marleigh herself. She had the dark-eyed, frantic look of someone who has spent several weeks organising a ball. "This is an outrage" were the first words out of her mouth. “Absolutely unacceptable. Hello, by the way."

Their chemistry and how they support each other is just perfect ❤️

“Gracewood?” she asked, after the smallest pause. “Do you think me callous?”

"Because I do not feel what happened...what we did...as you do." 

“Then I think you must accept that your own feelings are n reflection on your character either."

This made him laugh again—but it was a true laugh this time, warm with mirth. "I’ve had a very difficult evening. It is unfair of you to try and use logic against me."

“There is nothing I will not stoop to when it comes to your happiness." She smiled at him, all wickedness and the sly flash of a dimple.

A beautiful sentiment on trust, and the fate-forged strength of Viola and Gracewood’s relationship. How love and trust can be a conscious choice, and when they are chosen, can endure forever.

"lt was not a betrayal of me for you to do what you needed to save yourself."

The words lingered a moment in the quiet room, heavy with the truths they carried. For she had, indeed, hurt Gracewood more deeply than she would have believed either of them had the strength to bear. And yet they had lived through it and beyond it, tumbling together into the impossible future that had brought them to tonight. Because that was the truth of trust. It was neither weak nor fleeting. It was steel and fire. And would endure as long as you let it.

Megan BV

“My point is, no young girl possessed of beauty, brains, and a dowry larger than the Prince Regent’s backside should be reduced to taking an interest in the landscape.”

“Though it does rather make one worry for Little Bartholomew. We can only hope he’s inherited my brains and his father’s looks.” 

“And,” asked Viola mischievously, “if it’s the other way round?” 

Lady Marleigh frowned. “Lord help us, I have no idea. I suppose we feed him to the nearest wolf and try again.”

Lady Marleigh shrugged. “The church is a dumping ground for superfluous lordlings, what the law doesn’t know won’t hurt it, and men are more understanding than you think. After all, what is love but understanding?”

 “And”—Viola lifted her brows into sardonic little arches—“Badger understands you, does he?” 

“Well,” admitted Lady Marleigh, with a smile, “not what I say much of the time. But he understands that I am the worst kind of arrogant, unsentimental, managing female, and he adores me.”

He wanted to look at her like he wanted to breathe, like she was breath and he was drowning, and every moment of his not looking was a struggle towards the thing he most needed. Except once he looked, looking would not be enough.

“Damn the world. The world told you that you had to live the life it shaped for you, and you defied it. The world told me that I had to be as my father was, and I defied it, or am trying to. We can make our own world, Viola, with our own rules.”

“It was not a betrayal of me for you to do what you needed to save yourself.”

A Lady For A Duke quotes

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