A Marriage of Convenience with a Beastly Duke

by Sally Forbes

Cecily’s illness made her lose her vision. She is a blind lady with a love for life but fears a lonely future in spinsterhood. A marriage proposal from the notorious beastly Duke of Archington could be Cecily’s salvation, or maybe not?

Six years ago, Lady Cecily Derrick had her come out into London’s High Society. The evening proved to be a disaster as she stumbled into a waiter carrying a tray of champagne flutes. That night changed everything for Cecily as shortly afterward she was diagnosed with a rare illness… one that over time would leave her blind. She has made peace with never marrying and remaining a spinster for the rest of her life. Cecily and her family have recently returned to London for her younger sister Agnes’s debut. However, Agnes is reluctant about marrying as she doesn’t want to leave Cecily. But Cecily refuses to hear a word of it and encourages Agnes to make the most of the Season.

Five years ago, Val Archer—The Duke of Archington—withdrew from Society after he was left severely scarred on the left side of his face. To make matters worse, his beloved Lady Jocelyn called off their betrothal. Val has spent the last four years in the Far East to escape the ton’s scrutiny. He returns after receiving word from his mother who wishes for him to settle down and marry. But who would want a hideously scarred gentleman for a husband? Everything changes when Val encounters Cecily at a dinner hosted by his mother.

Val and Cecily agree to a marriage of convenience which soon turns out to be something more. But Cecily and Val are confronted by their emotional insecurities as they grow closer. Will they get their happily ever after in the end?

*If you like the Regency and Victorian era, then ''A Marriage of Convenience with a Beastly Duke'' is the novel for you.

This is a historical Regency romance novel of 70,000 words approximetly. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a strong happily ever after.

Get your copy today to discover Cecily’s and Val's captivating new story!

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Regency, Romance, Disability, Historical Fiction, Fiction

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2022

Reviews

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good scarred hero romance. And the heroine has an illness that is making her slowly lose her sight? I was in for the ride! There was such much built-up that I was waiting for the passion. Then I got to the end only to find out that it's a clean romance. They shared a sweet kiss and that is all.

Overall, it was a nice story with strong family ties and good character development. I just felt the couple lacked that connection (I am used to reading smut, so that is probably my problem).

[Mary Bourgeois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining book

Good plot and light story, but too much giggling by Cecily and sniffing by Val. If you can ignore that, good read.

[Phylis Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes we are our own worst enemy
Cecily and Val
This is a unique story about two scarred people finding true love. by their emotional insecurities as they grow closer. Both learning to live with handicaps in an age when people were unforgiving of any differences in a person have scars and have experienced society’s cruelty. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy It is so heartwarming to watch this couple, slowly, become friends. Eventually their friendship turns into love even before they are aware of it.

[Karen Darling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad.

[Danielle Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story starts a relationship off that is awkward, but as the Duke realizes his place as a husband the relationship smooths itself. The heroine's character was well thought out, the Duke's character was awkward and bounced. The story line and plot were well developed, but even after the two fell in love the dialog felt difficult. The conflict in this whole story is the Duke getting over himself. For a man that is to take over the Dukedom, he has a whole lot of growing up to do.

[Boosmummy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book quite quickly as I couldn't put it down. The story flows well and I wanted to know what would happen to the characters as I really liked them. It was lovely reading a story that didn't have lots of side plots but focused on the relationship building and then our HEA.

[Karen Huebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming book

This book shows
How's how two people with disabilities and injuries can overcome criticism and malicious comments and live a happy life.

[Debbie Cawker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as the author draws you into the lives of Cecily and Val who are ostracized by the ton of high society who are cruel. Both families want nothing but the best for both of them as they love them dearly. A must read as Cecily and Val agree to marry for convenience and time will tell whether they fall in love with other. ❤️

[Margaret Connelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Editing

This would be a 5 star book if edited properly. There ate glaring errors of syntax and grammar. Otherwise I enjoyed this story.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story I enjoyed reading! He has a scarred face, she cannot see it. Great story!

[Deirdre Oddy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poor

Too American, with modern idiom (a makeover!) and no idea of how the British aristocracy acted - the servant bows or curtseys to the Lord never the other way round. Biscuit for breakfast, I think not! I am assuming that the author referring to the American sort not the thin, hard, dry sweet or savoury British type. I could go on but I think I have said enough for an explanation.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Val/Archington - was terribly scared on the face that caused lots of insecurities, and rejection from the ton
Cecily- has an illness that slowly making her blind, and also rejected by Tom
I enjoyed reading this engaging story that is well written with charismatic characters. Their story has a loving HEA.

[Ramonita Roldan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly Lacking Substance!

This story lack two factors that would had made it an exceptional read. It had no passion or intimacy! Considering Cecily's blindness and Val's disfigurement, it would had been excellent to explore these aspects of the story. Instead it was a lack luster story!

[Rod · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story concept but I found the telling too simplistic and simple if that makes sense. As such it seemed to drag. There are also a lot of etiquette and Americanism issues. As a duchess she would not curtesy to a viscount. Keep changing my mind between 2 and 3 stars. I have ended up on 2.

[Tisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Cecily Derrick ~ the oldest of the Earl of Devinshire & Countess adored by all her family. She and her younger sister Lady Agnes are as close as to sisters could possibly be. Cecily was beautiful, smart, intelligent & so excited for her debut. she had her dances with suitor's, though she thought her blurriness was just her overwhelming exhaustion from the continuous dancing in her the ballroom. When heading off the dance floor for a breather. She crashed into the waiter/butler knocking him & a flutes full of champaign crashing to the floor. Having embarrassed herself, family & butler with her display of unlady like behavior. What happened? It was time she listened to her parents & they were to go see a specialist about her eyes. What he father finds out is heartbreaking. Lady Cecily has a rare eye disease that will make her lose her sight in a very short appeared of time.
All happened during her debut of the season. She will be an evident & rely on her parents to take care of their handicap daughter. Not to mention this will stop any prosecutable suitors for her her Lady Agnes.

Val Archer ~ The Duke of Archington has been requested by his mother Dowager Duchess to return to London after hiding for over 5 yrs. in the far East & take his Dukedom responsibles @ the Archington Estate. Val just cringes' with the idea of having to deal with the pompous gossip of society with snickers, & insults about the Duke's beastly disfigurement. He can easily take care of London & the Far East business matters from right where he resides. The Duke of Archington not only had been scarred by his physical disfigurement but also by his emotional. When Lady Jocelyn his betrothed & madly in love w/ was suppose to marry in a few weeks before this accident. His fiance never came to see him after the accident. Then broke of their engagement stating she couldn't be seen with the likes of him in society. What a cold, hearted woman & definitely not a true lady. The Dowager Duchess is thrilled for her son to have come home. She has informed him that she has missed him & understands why he left England. But he needs to think of the future of Legacy & consider marrying & having an heir.
Dowager Duchess has decided to invite her very closest friend the Countess of Devinshire & her daughters. Wouldn't her son Val enjoy that? NO! But Val could see how excited she was. The night came & him almost wanted to run & hide to his chambers. He met the Earl & Countess & they didn't turn away. Then he noticed their daughters. One turning away & the most beautiful creature looking straight at him. He had never been more nervous in his life. Read what happens to these two misfits? When friendship, honesty, understanding & beating against the likes of society builds love.
I loved this book, in was sentimental, honest with the characters vulnerabilities'. The reader witnesses friendship, caring & building bonds that outway any society gossip. The love that the Duke shows Lady Cecily is sweet. loving & hopeful. When Val starts to realize that Lady Cecily doesn't take life for granted & wants to know what the world is like thru her husband. The Duke must learn love can outway what gossip holds within the pompous class of the ton. There are moments where the authors describes gestures of happiness & closeness with a kiss, or touch of the hand for both characters. How they have physical intensity that warms, & desires their heart. I just wish that we would have had the same aspect of that in a love scene. I would have loved the description of when Cecily would touch her Duke for the 1st time in the bedroom. To show how sensual & close they could be as one. Let Val be alone with his Duchess in chambers & help her dress or undress. That would open up their vulnerabilities' to another level. it could have been a romantic & beautiful scene. Opening up their emotional scars to each other. Maybe if their is an update of this novel in the future. All I know is I loved it.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the beautiful, heartfelt love story of Lady Cecily and Val, the Duke of Archington. They are two, sweet and loving people who have disabilities that cause them to be shunned by the ton.

Due to an illness, Cecily is slowly losing her eyesight. But no one knows because she has been hiding her eyesight problem from everyone. During her coming-out party, she stumbled into a waiter carrying a tray full of champagne. Since then, men avoid her and women ignore her.

Five years ago, Val was in a stagecoach accident. As a result of this traumatic event, Val now has scars on the entire side of his face. To make matters worse, his girlfriend broke up with him because of his scars, and everyone else looks upon him as a “monster.” Men and women of the ton find him disgusting.

For this reason, Val comes up with, what he considers to be, a brilliant idea. He plans to ask Cecily to marry him. This marriage of convenience will solve their problems. Cecily cannot be disgusted by something she cannot see. And, these two society outcasts will be able to have a family and live a normal life.

The couple moves to Val’s country house, so they can be away from the society that ignores them. Unfortunately, the two of them find it very difficult to be comfortable with each other. Of course, the two of them have some obstacles to overcome, but that is always done respectfully.

It is so heartwarming to watch this couple, slowly, become friends. Eventually their friendship turns into love even before they are aware of it.

[lyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up this book halfway. I was bothered that It felt like I was not reading an historical romance instead a contemporary one. Its seems that the writer is new to the genre and does not know how it really works. Ive had a lot of historical ones and love them much. But this one was like you cannot figured out where are you exactly. Its a shame that the plot is good but will work more if the writer knows how to make the right sentence, conversation and phrase correctly. For someone who lives on that specific period of time, the characters doesnt know how to talk and behave properly. As a writer, you have to know what you are writing. Without the right information the book will appear poor with too much inaccuracies and which may lead to readers to lose interest. I know its fiction but this is also misleading. Might as well write something modern if you dont have enough knowledge of how a historical romance works.

[Jeanie's Kindle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning to England after an extended stay in the Far East, the Duke has come back at his mothers request. It's time to move past the pain of the being shunned by the ton after a carriage accident left his face scarred. He is often called a monster. His previous fiancee broke off the engagement because of his disfigurement.
Cecila had just made her debut ball when she tripped and fell. It was embarrassing and the ton made fun of her for being clumsy. Her father called the doctor to cover her accident. She was not clumsy, she was losing her sight. She had a condition causing her to be blind.
The Duke Val met Cecila at a dinner party. Their mothers were long time friends. Val decided with his scars only a blind person would want to marry him and Cecila was beautiful and perfect.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Cecily and Val. Val was hurt in a carriage accident that left his face scared. Cecily was losing her sight. Val came up with an idea to marry Cecily as a marriage of convenience. He felt that would work bec she could not see his scares. The other unique about this book was the way Val set their days together like he was courting her and Cecily responded. Those little outing were so wonderful. The only thing I didn't like was when Val sent Cecily home. As I've said before there has to complications to create a great story. I love this book. It was a joy to read. Thank you for writing it.

[A. Mantonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

NOT a beauty and the beast retelling.

Clean regency

This book was sweet and angsty and I wanted to punch the MMC for trying to choose what’s best for the FMC. I also got real tired of the FMC being SO forgiving and understanding and kind - I like my female leads with a little more sass and a bit mor fire to their temper instead of always putting everyone else’s feelings above their own. Luckily this FMC had a happily ever after with a man who only took a fortnight or two to figure out what an idiot he was.

[Argie Eggleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

Great story with a happy ending. Marriage of convenience between the two most unlikely pair becoming a love match. Most unlikely pair because of a very scarred Duke and a blind countess. Both individuals new they would never be married co the Duke proposed a marriage of convenience with the blind girl Cecily hoping the most for companionship and friendship but end the end turned into happily ever after. As any story it had its share of thought and outside negativism before it reached a happy ending.

[LaDonna Holloman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good clean romance. The couple were well suited for each other. When the Duke took her horseback riding tho, maybe he could have rode beside her holding the reins to her horse. It seemed awkward when he placed his hand on her arm. Also I would have loved to have read where the town people fell in love with the couple after they saw how much in love they were. All together it was a great read.

[Diane Horne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Marriage of Convenience with a Beastly Duke By Sally Forbes

Four stars, cute storyline, love an go beyond disabilities.. Cecily was blind and the Duke was scarred from a accident.. She wads more accepting of her disability, whereas Val thought he was a beast, so he married Cecily cause she couldn't see.. Despite everything they fell in love, during the story he had doubts that almost ruined everything.. But Val turned things around, and got back on track.. Good ending.

[Juana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and light. I an so glad I was recommend this book. It has a Jane Austin feel about it. I know with absolutely certainty that the only complaint I have is that it was not longer. If you want to read a book that is sweet and makes you swoon. I recommend this book about a beastly duke. I cannot wait to click Sally Forbes name and fine more of her gems.

[Christiane Robillard · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adequate story

The emotions and behaviours of the main characters were blatant and obvious. There was no subtlety in either the dialogue or the actions. It kinda read like a fairytale… no realism involved. The writing was adequate, with few typos. The storyline was somewhat original in that the story involved two people who were handicapped, albeit in different ways.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably worth 2.5 stars. Cute story overall, but the grammatical errors are so much so that they were a bit of a distraction. The title is also rather misleading, as it has really nothing to do with the beauty and the beast story.

[Char · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring

This book appears to be written for very very young readers. The main characters giggled and chuckled every other paragraph. No self respecting female of that era would ride a horse without first changing into a riding habit. So many inaccuracies in this book.

[Dorothey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Marriage of Connivence with a Beastly Duke

I really enjoyed this story and the extended episode. Both were Exciting, and had times of sadness for each, Val and Ceciley. I encourage anyone to read this story, and see the characters find their love and happiness.

[Barbara Cardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book it was well written and I was very impressed with how the characters were made. I give this book 5 stars. I would tell everyone to read and buy this book.
Sincerely
Barbara R Cardin

[Connie Skief · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a life altering handicap brings the love longed for

Accidents, illness, and changes in life sometimes are the path to true love. Highly recommended for all readers, I shed a few tears at the end.