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A Diamond for a Duke: Camellia
A Duke left bitter by past betrayals, a kind-hearted lady with secrets to keep, a family trapped by the mistakes of the past, blackmail and threats confronted, a love which heals the past.
Damien Falton, the Duke of Blackwater, has been full of bitter anger since his father’s Will reading – which revealed that everything he thought he’d known about his life was a lie. Now, over a year later, with his mourning over, he must deal with society again, for the sake of his sisters, and their chances of finding men they wish to marry. The fact that he, too, will need to marry is something he doesn’t wish to contemplate – until he meets Lady Camellia Gardenbrook. Despite all expectations, she makes him want to believe that love without betrayal is possible.
Lady Camellia Gardenbrook hopes that she will eventually find love, as her older sisters have – but she doubts that finding a man who will accept her secrets is possible. Still, she will not give those things up – what would her life be worth, without being able to help others? When she meets the Duke of Blackwater, for the first time, she finds herself truly intrigued by a man – for he is a contradictory, confusing combination of warmth and aloofness of manner, all in a sinfully handsome package.
As the Season progresses, it becomes increasingly obvious that all is not right, and that the secrets of the past are far from forgotten, but, instead, present a threat to the future – not just for the Duke, but for his sisters, and for the other family he never knew that he had.
Can Lady Camellia discover the source of the threats, before the Duke’s sisters are ruined? Can the Duke protect his sisters, when the identity of the person who threatens them, and him, is unknown?
And when it all comes out in one dramatic moment, can Lady Camellia and the Duke accept the truth of their feelings, and find love? Or will the shadows of the past steal their happiness in the future?
Damien Falton, the Duke of Blackwater, has been full of bitter anger since his father’s Will reading – which revealed that everything he thought he’d known about his life was a lie. Now, over a year later, with his mourning over, he must deal with society again, for the sake of his sisters, and their chances of finding men they wish to marry. The fact that he, too, will need to marry is something he doesn’t wish to contemplate – until he meets Lady Camellia Gardenbrook. Despite all expectations, she makes him want to believe that love without betrayal is possible.
Lady Camellia Gardenbrook hopes that she will eventually find love, as her older sisters have – but she doubts that finding a man who will accept her secrets is possible. Still, she will not give those things up – what would her life be worth, without being able to help others? When she meets the Duke of Blackwater, for the first time, she finds herself truly intrigued by a man – for he is a contradictory, confusing combination of warmth and aloofness of manner, all in a sinfully handsome package.
As the Season progresses, it becomes increasingly obvious that all is not right, and that the secrets of the past are far from forgotten, but, instead, present a threat to the future – not just for the Duke, but for his sisters, and for the other family he never knew that he had.
Can Lady Camellia discover the source of the threats, before the Duke’s sisters are ruined? Can the Duke protect his sisters, when the identity of the person who threatens them, and him, is unknown?
And when it all comes out in one dramatic moment, can Lady Camellia and the Duke accept the truth of their feelings, and find love? Or will the shadows of the past steal their happiness in the future?
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2020
94 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Arietta Richmond
196 books359 followersArietta Richmond has been a compulsive reader and writer all her life. Whilst her reading has covered an enormous range of topics, history has always fascinated her, and historical novels have been amongst her favourite reading.
She has written a wide range of work, from business articles and other non-fiction works (published under a pen name) but fiction has always been a major part of her life. Now, her Regency Historical Romance books are finally being released. The Derbyshire Set is comprised of 10 novels (7 released so far). The ‘His Majesty’s Hounds’ series is comprised of 17novels, with the fourteenth having just been released.
She also has a standalone longer novel shortly to be released, and two other series of novels in development.
She lives in Australia, and when not reading or writing, likes to travel, and to see in person the places where history happened.
Be the first to know about it when Arietta’s next book is released!
Sign up to Arietta’s newsletter at
http://www.ariettarichmond.com
When you do, you will receive two free subscriber exclusive books -
‘A Gift of Love’, which is a prequel to the Derbyshire Set series, and ends on the day that ‘The Earl’s Unexpected Bride’ begins, and ‘Madame’s Christmas Marquis’ which is an additional story in the His Majesty’s Hounds series
These stories are not for sale anywhere – they are absolutely exclusive to newsletter subscribers!
She has written a wide range of work, from business articles and other non-fiction works (published under a pen name) but fiction has always been a major part of her life. Now, her Regency Historical Romance books are finally being released. The Derbyshire Set is comprised of 10 novels (7 released so far). The ‘His Majesty’s Hounds’ series is comprised of 17novels, with the fourteenth having just been released.
She also has a standalone longer novel shortly to be released, and two other series of novels in development.
She lives in Australia, and when not reading or writing, likes to travel, and to see in person the places where history happened.
Be the first to know about it when Arietta’s next book is released!
Sign up to Arietta’s newsletter at
http://www.ariettarichmond.com
When you do, you will receive two free subscriber exclusive books -
‘A Gift of Love’, which is a prequel to the Derbyshire Set series, and ends on the day that ‘The Earl’s Unexpected Bride’ begins, and ‘Madame’s Christmas Marquis’ which is an additional story in the His Majesty’s Hounds series
These stories are not for sale anywhere – they are absolutely exclusive to newsletter subscribers!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 20, 2020
A family of secrets…
Damien Falton, Duke of Blackwater, and his two sisters have completed their period of mourning and he is trying to prepare them for their first Season in society. That task is complicated by the scandal inflicted on the family by their late father’s infidelity and the subsequent gossip surrounding the discovery of an illegitimate half-brother at the reading of their father’s will. With no female relatives to sponsor or assist his sisters, Damian will need to find a member of the ton to fill that role.
Although nearing the age of twenty, Lady Camillia Gardenbrook has yet to find a gentleman she can love and who will permit her to carry on her charitable ventures. Her curiosity was piqued by the disdain and sadness she saw on the face of an unknown gentleman entering the ballroom. She encountered him again several weeks later at a dinner hosted by her brother, the Duke of Hartwood, and his wife, Bella. During the course of the evening, both Lady Camillia and the Duchess agreed to sponsor and help prepare his sisters but the scandal still plaguing his family can still derail his plans.
This is another beautiful historical romances by Arietta Richmond. She creates such wonderful characters and I always enjoy her interesting plots and storylines.
Damien Falton, Duke of Blackwater, and his two sisters have completed their period of mourning and he is trying to prepare them for their first Season in society. That task is complicated by the scandal inflicted on the family by their late father’s infidelity and the subsequent gossip surrounding the discovery of an illegitimate half-brother at the reading of their father’s will. With no female relatives to sponsor or assist his sisters, Damian will need to find a member of the ton to fill that role.
Although nearing the age of twenty, Lady Camillia Gardenbrook has yet to find a gentleman she can love and who will permit her to carry on her charitable ventures. Her curiosity was piqued by the disdain and sadness she saw on the face of an unknown gentleman entering the ballroom. She encountered him again several weeks later at a dinner hosted by her brother, the Duke of Hartwood, and his wife, Bella. During the course of the evening, both Lady Camillia and the Duchess agreed to sponsor and help prepare his sisters but the scandal still plaguing his family can still derail his plans.
This is another beautiful historical romances by Arietta Richmond. She creates such wonderful characters and I always enjoy her interesting plots and storylines.
August 9, 2020
I read this book as part of the Love One Spring Season Anthology. I enjoyed every word of it and once I started it, I could not stop reading until I reached the end. This story was highly entertaining and full of several surprises and secrets. It involves a Duke, his illegitimate brother, a benevolent lady, a blackmail scheme, the revelation of long buried secrets and some other surprises. The Elbury Bouquet books can be read as stand alones, but they are more enjoyable when read in order together.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 24, 2023
I love Regency romances and I have been reading the Elbury Bouquet books. This is one of my favorite ones. Camellia is cornered about helping people and making sure no one of the ton will find out because she will be ostracized as young ladies of a certain set do not do that kind of thing. I liked the duke of Blackwater a lot. He struggles with his fathers death and all the secrets that have come out. He also is coming back into society and he knows that they will be judging his family. He is angry at what his father did and also concerned that when his two sisters make their come out that society will give them the cut direct.
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September 15, 2024Kindness Exemplified
The writing reveals the author. Damien is bitter and sullen at the start of the book. He didn't care what the ton thought of him, except for his two younger sisters are coming out in society and deserve the chance to marriage and happiness.
But someone is behind the awful gossip about them. Someone who resorts to blackmail. Yet Camellia Elbury reaches out to them in kindness. She helps them navigate the ton, the balls, and the soirees.
In the process, the Duke is drawn to her beauty and kindness and love blooms (of course!).
Despite the ugliness that pervades, it's kindness that prevails in a very uplifting tale.
The writing reveals the author. Damien is bitter and sullen at the start of the book. He didn't care what the ton thought of him, except for his two younger sisters are coming out in society and deserve the chance to marriage and happiness.
But someone is behind the awful gossip about them. Someone who resorts to blackmail. Yet Camellia Elbury reaches out to them in kindness. She helps them navigate the ton, the balls, and the soirees.
In the process, the Duke is drawn to her beauty and kindness and love blooms (of course!).
Despite the ugliness that pervades, it's kindness that prevails in a very uplifting tale.
April 20, 2020
Delightfully sweet romance which grips you from the very beginning. I loved how much Camellia cared for others within and outside of her family. Damien is a wonderful character, who cares deeply for his sisters and wants only the best for them. When his family is threatened, Camellia and her extended family lend their support. This is a well-developed storyline, with mystery, secrets and romance. I enjoyed this story very much and highly recommend it.
May 8, 2020
Cold Duke melts
Truly one twisted book. The Duke of Blackwater’s father left a will that send the whole family in a tail spin! Lady Camillia Gardenbrook agrees to help his sisters inter society with Duchess Belle. With scandal, blackmail, and more swirling around them all it is a very good read!
Truly one twisted book. The Duke of Blackwater’s father left a will that send the whole family in a tail spin! Lady Camillia Gardenbrook agrees to help his sisters inter society with Duchess Belle. With scandal, blackmail, and more swirling around them all it is a very good read!
August 6, 2020
A Diamond for a Duke
I love the sisters. Camellia was attracted to Blackwater but she couldn't get a read on him. One minute warm and flirting and the next the opposite. With all the secrets and blackmail how can see find the time to see if he feels the same.
Great book. Fantastic series.
I love the sisters. Camellia was attracted to Blackwater but she couldn't get a read on him. One minute warm and flirting and the next the opposite. With all the secrets and blackmail how can see find the time to see if he feels the same.
Great book. Fantastic series.
August 11, 2020
I really enjoyed this regency romance. What a tangled web to sort through! This is my first book of this series and I was pleasantly surprised to see that characters overlap with His Majesty’s Hounds characters. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Richmond and cannot wait for more.
February 14, 2025
A good one!
The intrigue of sorts works well on this one, weaving through the plot and not taking away from it. A little predictable in the romance department, but enjoyable nonetheless.
The intrigue of sorts works well on this one, weaving through the plot and not taking away from it. A little predictable in the romance department, but enjoyable nonetheless.
June 18, 2020
Sensational
What an amazing story of infidelity, mistrust, seduction lies and blackmail and of course a child out of wedlock! I really enjoyed this story can't wait for next!
What an amazing story of infidelity, mistrust, seduction lies and blackmail and of course a child out of wedlock! I really enjoyed this story can't wait for next!
April 20, 2022
nice read
This is my personal favorite of the series so far. It had a variety of interesting characters along with a good a strong plot of intrigue and romance.
This is my personal favorite of the series so far. It had a variety of interesting characters along with a good a strong plot of intrigue and romance.
June 27, 2024
A multi-layered family mystery, sleuthing adventure featuring the next Elbury daughter. The story of the compassionate yet curious Camellia, who is helping some new friends.
The main story unwinds with the help of a will, swordcanes and Baron Setford, bring all your favorite characters back to reveal the story of the Blackwater family… the Duke and his sisters as they rejoin society and the family complications that ensue.
While Camellia has a sub storyline which intertwines, it’s more of an afterthought. The romance is secondary to the mystery in this story, but the whole story fits with the larger set of Hounds books. A different plot and tropes offering variety.
*I received a preview copy of the book - this did not affect my opinion of the work.
The main story unwinds with the help of a will, swordcanes and Baron Setford, bring all your favorite characters back to reveal the story of the Blackwater family… the Duke and his sisters as they rejoin society and the family complications that ensue.
While Camellia has a sub storyline which intertwines, it’s more of an afterthought. The romance is secondary to the mystery in this story, but the whole story fits with the larger set of Hounds books. A different plot and tropes offering variety.
*I received a preview copy of the book - this did not affect my opinion of the work.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews