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The Duke Wears a Kilt
*A Regency Romance Novella*
Four Scotsmen walked into a ball...
...and the room fell silent. It wasn’t the blatant stares of two hundred of London’s elite that perturbed Craig MacNaught, Duke of Kirwick, but the large number of young ladies simpering behind their fans. How was he supposed to choose one out of so many when he couldn’t see more than half their faces? This would take all night.
A flash of movement off to the right caught his attention as a woman entered from a side hall only to stop short. She scanned the sea of inert figures, her eyes coming to rest on the newcomers. “Damn.”
Craig grinned when she hastily raised a white-gloved hand to her lips as though she could push the curse back inside. She had a pleasingly plump figure and a pretty face, the whole of which he could see given her singular lack of a fan.
“I would have ye fer my wife.”
<><><>
Louisa closed her eyes and wished she’d never returned to the ballroom. Surely it should have taken the maid at least twice as long as it had to repair her coiffure. Why did Leifort have to employ such efficient help?
When she finally opened her eyes again, it was to find the Scotsman standing directly in front of her, scowling. “Did ye nae hear me, lass?”
She nearly choked on her surprise. “Hear you, sir? All of London heard you. The entire town of Brighton still shakes from your bellow. Tired mothers in every hamlet of England are cursing you for waking their children. Ships at sea are taking in their sails for the gale that must surely be just over the horizon and, though I cannot be wholly certain, I believe there are a few fools near Paris who now believe the English are attacking.”
A flash of humor lit the Scot’s green eyes. “There are always a few fools near Paris.”
“And at least one before me.”
The MacNaught brothers have made a pact that each will marry within a year of the one before him – except Craig. As the oldest, he is expected to find a wife this season and he has no intention of wasting time with needless courting. Why should he when a duke can simply walk into a ball and pick out the bride of his choice? Unfortunately, the woman he chooses is not so easily impressed by his title and Craig soon finds himself relying on a game of hide-the-dagger to win the favour of the woman he is quickly coming to love.
Four Scotsmen walked into a ball...
...and the room fell silent. It wasn’t the blatant stares of two hundred of London’s elite that perturbed Craig MacNaught, Duke of Kirwick, but the large number of young ladies simpering behind their fans. How was he supposed to choose one out of so many when he couldn’t see more than half their faces? This would take all night.
A flash of movement off to the right caught his attention as a woman entered from a side hall only to stop short. She scanned the sea of inert figures, her eyes coming to rest on the newcomers. “Damn.”
Craig grinned when she hastily raised a white-gloved hand to her lips as though she could push the curse back inside. She had a pleasingly plump figure and a pretty face, the whole of which he could see given her singular lack of a fan.
“I would have ye fer my wife.”
<><><>
Louisa closed her eyes and wished she’d never returned to the ballroom. Surely it should have taken the maid at least twice as long as it had to repair her coiffure. Why did Leifort have to employ such efficient help?
When she finally opened her eyes again, it was to find the Scotsman standing directly in front of her, scowling. “Did ye nae hear me, lass?”
She nearly choked on her surprise. “Hear you, sir? All of London heard you. The entire town of Brighton still shakes from your bellow. Tired mothers in every hamlet of England are cursing you for waking their children. Ships at sea are taking in their sails for the gale that must surely be just over the horizon and, though I cannot be wholly certain, I believe there are a few fools near Paris who now believe the English are attacking.”
A flash of humor lit the Scot’s green eyes. “There are always a few fools near Paris.”
“And at least one before me.”
The MacNaught brothers have made a pact that each will marry within a year of the one before him – except Craig. As the oldest, he is expected to find a wife this season and he has no intention of wasting time with needless courting. Why should he when a duke can simply walk into a ball and pick out the bride of his choice? Unfortunately, the woman he chooses is not so easily impressed by his title and Craig soon finds himself relying on a game of hide-the-dagger to win the favour of the woman he is quickly coming to love.
124 pages, Paperback
Published November 3, 2019
About the author
Sarah Locksley
8 books2 followersSarah Locksley currently sails as a student beneath the flag of Western University. She’s learning the ropes of Medieval Studies and Creative Writing under the able watch of the ship’s officers – most of who prefer to be called ‘professor’ rather than captain or quartermaster.
When she’s not studying, you can find her sitting in the middle of a crowded room, chuckling into the void at the latest quip of a character in her mind. Sarah writes the best ones down so other people can share in the adventures.
Other than perusing heavy tomes of knowledge, grinning like a fool, and transcribing her thoughts into stories, Sarah enjoys photography, tall ships, travelling, and spending time with family.
When she’s not studying, you can find her sitting in the middle of a crowded room, chuckling into the void at the latest quip of a character in her mind. Sarah writes the best ones down so other people can share in the adventures.
Other than perusing heavy tomes of knowledge, grinning like a fool, and transcribing her thoughts into stories, Sarah enjoys photography, tall ships, travelling, and spending time with family.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 23, 2021
Just a wee branch short of a tree
This could have been a great novella, but it just missed the mark for me. I thought it was very sweet and cute though and I loved the premise of the book. The three brothers were quite comical in their antics, sort of a three stooges kind of humor, and the whole knife being stolen back and forth between the hero and heroine was very sweet, but something felt a bit off. It is very short too. Only 99 pages but I definitely enjoyed it. Honestly, as I am writing this review I am remembering certain aspects of the novel and upon reflection it was extremely entertaining. And a very quick read. Now is it historically correct, no. The opening scene is the Scottish duke entering a ball and upon seeing the heroine he announces that he chooses her for his wife! He actually tried to get a young Vicar to marry them right then and there and she punches him in the face. Never would have happened so you must leave your credibility at the door. But in doing that, and watching his very unconventional courtship, it is definitely worth the short read. And now each of his brothers has to marry and I am looking forward to their stories too.
This could have been a great novella, but it just missed the mark for me. I thought it was very sweet and cute though and I loved the premise of the book. The three brothers were quite comical in their antics, sort of a three stooges kind of humor, and the whole knife being stolen back and forth between the hero and heroine was very sweet, but something felt a bit off. It is very short too. Only 99 pages but I definitely enjoyed it. Honestly, as I am writing this review I am remembering certain aspects of the novel and upon reflection it was extremely entertaining. And a very quick read. Now is it historically correct, no. The opening scene is the Scottish duke entering a ball and upon seeing the heroine he announces that he chooses her for his wife! He actually tried to get a young Vicar to marry them right then and there and she punches him in the face. Never would have happened so you must leave your credibility at the door. But in doing that, and watching his very unconventional courtship, it is definitely worth the short read. And now each of his brothers has to marry and I am looking forward to their stories too.
February 11, 2022
This was okay for me. Everything moved a little too fast for my taste, though I did like the premise of the crazy-random proposal that Craig made. Think I would have liked it more if there had been a little longer build up and conflict to the story. And I especially wasn't wild about his 'taking' of Louisa so soon! I wanted to love the brother's stories, but felt they spent more time fighting with each other and arguing to make it as fun as this aspect wanted to be. Again, a longer story would have likely fixed this issue. I struggle with short stories for this exact reason. Too much too fast and not enough context!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2019
Great book! I absolutely loved when he dressed up as a tree! That was really funny! 5 Stars!
September 24, 2021
Very funny and cute. A nice quick romance to brighten a gloomy day.
October 7, 2021
An enjoyable read. I definitely recommend.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews