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Mayhem and Petticoats #1
A Duke Confounded
Previously published as Penelope ( A Madcap Regency Romance ) by Anya Wylde
Penelope, the first book in the Fairweather series, has garnered considerable affection over the years, with thousands of reviews. I decided to revisit this beloved tale and craft a more intense version, incorporating new scenes, some heat, and a deeper exploration from the male perspective. I hope you enjoy 'The Duke Confounded', the spicier version of 'Penelope', just as much.
Penelope Fairweather is yanked from the tranquil embrace of Finnshire by the dowager and tossed into the glittering ballrooms of the upper crust. Thus, filled with hope and a husband-hunting gleam in her eye, she descends upon the unsuspecting ton.
Alas, her hopes to ensnare a husband begin to sway like a bamboo on a windy day when she encounters the wealthy, handsome and incredibly cantankerous Duke of Blackthorne.
The duke is aghast when confronted with her wild and unruly nature and vows to fling her back from whence she came. She is everything the discerning Duke despises, but to his utter horror, he soon finds himself undeniably drawn to this charming, clumsy whirlwind.
Together, our contrary couple plunge into uproarious misadventures, scandalous parties, pure madness, and amidst it all, mutually stew in a forbidden attraction that burns brighter than any ballroom chandelier.
Penelope, the first book in the Fairweather series, has garnered considerable affection over the years, with thousands of reviews. I decided to revisit this beloved tale and craft a more intense version, incorporating new scenes, some heat, and a deeper exploration from the male perspective. I hope you enjoy 'The Duke Confounded', the spicier version of 'Penelope', just as much.
Penelope Fairweather is yanked from the tranquil embrace of Finnshire by the dowager and tossed into the glittering ballrooms of the upper crust. Thus, filled with hope and a husband-hunting gleam in her eye, she descends upon the unsuspecting ton.
Alas, her hopes to ensnare a husband begin to sway like a bamboo on a windy day when she encounters the wealthy, handsome and incredibly cantankerous Duke of Blackthorne.
The duke is aghast when confronted with her wild and unruly nature and vows to fling her back from whence she came. She is everything the discerning Duke despises, but to his utter horror, he soon finds himself undeniably drawn to this charming, clumsy whirlwind.
Together, our contrary couple plunge into uproarious misadventures, scandalous parties, pure madness, and amidst it all, mutually stew in a forbidden attraction that burns brighter than any ballroom chandelier.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2025
240 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Anya Wylde
68 books303 followersAnya Wylde lives in Ireland along with her husband and a fat French poodle (now on a diet). She can cook a mean curry, and her idea of exercise is occasionally stretching her toes. She holds a degree in English literature and adores reading and writing.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 5, 2026
It had humor and a happy ending but to be honest I preferred the original rendering. This seemed a bit much at times and I don’t recall the former being quite so
July 24, 2025
A Duke Confounded
I read Mayhem and Petticoats Book 1 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. This book had me laughing out loud again. I certainly did not want to put this book down. The characters are very entertaining.
I read Mayhem and Petticoats Book 1 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. This book had me laughing out loud again. I certainly did not want to put this book down. The characters are very entertaining.
December 7, 2025
Penelope is a nitwit...
I can't say I've disliked a heroine more, the goat was ridiculous (are we to believe a goat can be house-trained? Really?!) but darned if the silliness of it all didn't win me over in the end.
I can't say I've disliked a heroine more, the goat was ridiculous (are we to believe a goat can be house-trained? Really?!) but darned if the silliness of it all didn't win me over in the end.
December 9, 2025
Penny for your thoughts
I have never read any of this author's books, however this first book was very well written with a very endearing main character. I would say she is an original like no other.
I have never read any of this author's books, however this first book was very well written with a very endearing main character. I would say she is an original like no other.
December 1, 2025
I think this is a clean story but I didn’t get half way through when I gave up. We have a country girl coming to London for a season with a Dukes family, their mothers having been friends.
It opens with said country girl arriving with a pet goat following her around, she’d been held up by a highway man, and I am always ‘concerned’ when these criminals rejoice in names such as this one -‘The Falcon’. She apparently then has a long conversation with him hears about his past and life and he escorts her to London in case she is attacked by another highway band - the Cobra. I persevered and we find the duke always wears a false moustache when meeting his grandfather, as do any clean shaven men, as his grandfather believes this shows manliness. This apparently accepted, and they have a complete range for visitors to select one from. The dukes sister seems to chat back/make asides to the Duchess her mother more like a close friend than a daughter who I assume must be married. The goat seems to wander about the house and is accepted ( no mention of what it did when the highwaymen stopped her). There is a set of house rules no one can break, including not being late to a meal and not eating if you are. No food in your room etc. The duke seems to think she is scheming to trap him, and seems to go to lengths to get rid of her, but then kisses her, in between the thoughts of getting rid.
I skim read more thinking it might be a complete slapstick comedy and improve, but if it was it misses my sense of humour, and to me it just became far fetched and silly, and I gave up, hence the score.
It opens with said country girl arriving with a pet goat following her around, she’d been held up by a highway man, and I am always ‘concerned’ when these criminals rejoice in names such as this one -‘The Falcon’. She apparently then has a long conversation with him hears about his past and life and he escorts her to London in case she is attacked by another highway band - the Cobra. I persevered and we find the duke always wears a false moustache when meeting his grandfather, as do any clean shaven men, as his grandfather believes this shows manliness. This apparently accepted, and they have a complete range for visitors to select one from. The dukes sister seems to chat back/make asides to the Duchess her mother more like a close friend than a daughter who I assume must be married. The goat seems to wander about the house and is accepted ( no mention of what it did when the highwaymen stopped her). There is a set of house rules no one can break, including not being late to a meal and not eating if you are. No food in your room etc. The duke seems to think she is scheming to trap him, and seems to go to lengths to get rid of her, but then kisses her, in between the thoughts of getting rid.
I skim read more thinking it might be a complete slapstick comedy and improve, but if it was it misses my sense of humour, and to me it just became far fetched and silly, and I gave up, hence the score.
December 10, 2025
This historical romance is about Miss Penelope Fairweather from Finnshire, who is an impoverished young lady. She has been invited to visit her late mother's friend in London and to be introduced into society. But she has only lived in the countryside and lacks social graces and is not genteel at all. She constantly annoys the Duke of Blackthorne, Charles. He cannot stand her living in his house and tries his best to get rid of her, his words often being spoken in absolute rudeness.
The storyline is along the lines of a normal romance set in this period. The dialogue between the characters was rather amusing and I had several good chuckles throughout this story. I didn't really like the Duke much, he acted rather childishly and he was a rather obnoxious character. The Duchess (the Duke's mother) and her sister, Lady Anne were more likeable characters. Penelope was endearing and I enjoyed the way she interacted with Lady Bathsheba (her pet goat). The book was an entertaining read and I really enjoyed the humour, I rate this book 4.25*.
The storyline is along the lines of a normal romance set in this period. The dialogue between the characters was rather amusing and I had several good chuckles throughout this story. I didn't really like the Duke much, he acted rather childishly and he was a rather obnoxious character. The Duchess (the Duke's mother) and her sister, Lady Anne were more likeable characters. Penelope was endearing and I enjoyed the way she interacted with Lady Bathsheba (her pet goat). The book was an entertaining read and I really enjoyed the humour, I rate this book 4.25*.
January 13, 2026
I had this on my Kindle and decided to give it a go. I didnt mind the writing and the beginning of the story seemed to have promise, as it became quite funny and I thought this is different and a bit slapstick humour. But unfortunately it went into just a badly orchestrated romance with unlikeable character. A 1 star for me but that seemed churlish so gave it 2. .
March 12, 2026
A Duke Confounded
A literary romp that tickles the funny bone and dances with delightful wordplay, where characters pirouette off the page with such charm that you'll find yourself giggling into your Earl Grey. Snatch this tome and prepare for a reading experience so delectable, it'll make your bookshelf blush with envy.
A literary romp that tickles the funny bone and dances with delightful wordplay, where characters pirouette off the page with such charm that you'll find yourself giggling into your Earl Grey. Snatch this tome and prepare for a reading experience so delectable, it'll make your bookshelf blush with envy.
December 8, 2025
Mayhem Indeed!
I really enjoyed getting to know Penelope, as well as the other characters in the story, as the POV changes throughout, including the omniscient voice of the narration which added more. The humor is fun, as well! Charles so deserves her and her friends...
I really enjoyed getting to know Penelope, as well as the other characters in the story, as the POV changes throughout, including the omniscient voice of the narration which added more. The humor is fun, as well! Charles so deserves her and her friends...
March 31, 2026
Pens
Penelope is a hoot!
Penelope is a hoot!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews