Lord James and His Bride (The Duke's Brothers, #1)

by Fiona Miers

James drew in a deep breath as he stepped out of the carriage, filling his lungs with the fresh air as he gazed at the beach. There were no guns firing or bombs exploding. No barking of orders, or men dying around him. There was only peace. Perhaps not in his heart, but all around him.

As a sergeant in his regiment, he had fulfilled his patriotic duty to his country, and his King. He had earned medals of honour and accolades for his bravery, all of which meant a great deal to him. He had quickly realised, though, that those same medals and accolades didn’t mean much in society. In this new chapter of his life, he was convinced that he wouldn’t amount to anything.

Her mother had loved her father from the moment she gazed upon him for the first time, and had said her heart belonged to him until the day he passed, and would belong only to him long after his passing.

Why is this so clunky

His swimming strength had assisted in many secret operations and his superiors had noticed. It had also saved his life on more than one occasion.

Goofy

James opened his eyes to vanquish the images in his mind, as well as silently scold himself for letting his mind run away from him. Even though he had been seen and been given the all-clear from the service physician at the time of his return home, he was convinced he suffered from a kind of trauma. He was haunted by the ghosts of so many dead soldiers. But despite the nightmares and visions, and realistic flashes of his time as a soldier, he did not regret his choices. He’d learned discipline while in the army, and the camaraderie he’d found in war made even his close relationships with his biological brothers pale in comparison. His fellow soldiers had become his brothers, his confidants, his family. They confided in one another, laughed together, sobbed together. They celebrated victories, suffered through losses and James would never forget any of them. Those men provided him with support in more ways than he would ever be able to explain. And the connection mattered to him. It also scarred him with haunted memories that tormented him at the most inconvenient times. But at least he’d made it home alive, unlike many. He should be grateful.

this feels so juvenilely written... Like the whole book so far EXCEPT i like this passage... Still feels like middle grade lol

Once the oldere woman was safely in the wooden chair on the ramp,

omg editing mistake

“What on earth happened?” He panted, out of breath for reasons other than mere exertion. The woman was extraordinarily attractive.

Third time in the last like ten paragraphs that Abigail has been referred to as attractive... Bro

“And who may I inquire is the beautiful lady who deems me a hero instead of a highly inappropriate undressed man?” James asked. Her cheeks coloured even more as she chuckled and lowered her gaze momentarily. “My name is Miss Abigail Roth. And by what name does the heroic man who rescued my mother go by?” The corners of James’s mouth curled up as he chuckled, unable to tear his eyes away from Miss Roth. “James Melton, younger brother to the Duke of Waign.” “You are a lord, and here I am, a simple miss addressing you inappropriately,” Abigail apologised, and wincing as if embarrassed. “There is no need to apologise. I am only a man. There is no need for such formalities.” Abigail’s brow furrowed and she shook her head. “My mother would certainly not approve of that, but of course, I would not wish to insult you.” He shot a glance at the mother in question, who was fussing over herself in the chair and ignoring his conversation with her daughter. “We would not want that, Abigail,” James said, a wider grin forming on his lips. It was very forward of him, using her first name that way, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. A moment passed between them, as though they were the only two people in the world. The water rose and dipped around them, and it was only when Miss Roth’s mother called out that she broke their stare.

Ew. What

“Likewise, Abigail. I do hope our initial meeting does not cause you to intentionally ignore me when we meet again in Weymouth.” “Certainly not. Although my mother may choose an alternate route once she catches sight of you sans clothing,” Abigail said,

Several unnecessary and blocky words. How do u fail so bad. It's almost feeling... Satirical due to its lack of quality

“Is there something on your mind, my dear?” Abigail looked up and her brow furrowed. “Why would you ask me such a question, Mother?” “You seem preoccupied.” “I must admit, the events of today rather shook me and I am still processing it all. Feeling you slip from my grasp and into the water terrified me. I cannot imagine losing you, Mother.” “My dear, it is all right. I am perfectly fine.” Abigail nodded and lowered her gaze. “You did not happen to catch the name of the young man who assisted me out of the water, did you?” Mrs. Roth raised an expectant brow at her daughter, awaiting her answer. “As a matter of fact, I did.” Abigail drew in a breath before continuing. “Not that it matters. The mere fact that he took the time and effort to assist without expecting anything in return shows he is a gentleman. His kindness and selflessness are certainly commendable, whether he is titled or not.” “And the mere fact that you would point it out so eloquently suggests that he is indeed much more important and titled than he appeared to be,” Mrs. Roth said with a sly smile.

God. The dialog is so stilted and bad. This is period piece dialog when u have only consumed one in your life

“As a matter of fact, the woman I rescued was older and rather difficult to lift,” James said. Very difficult to lift, if he were being honest.

Omg why is the one descriptor of the mother her heaviness this literally sucksssss

Even as she denied the claim, she realized it was ture.

editing mistake. me too

The sound of her mother’s voice behind her made her jump, and she quickly closed the letter. She didn’t wish for her mother to see it, as she would force Abigail to accept James’s invitation. She attempted to hide the letter in the folds of her skirts.

Show stop telling me omg..

Her mother stared at her, then shook her head. “Nonsense. Why would you wish to reject his invitation? He is the brother of the Duke of Waign, a very influential and important man in these parts. It is an honour to be in the presence of him and his lovely wife.” Abigail sighed. “I do realise this, mother, but I’m not certain I’m in the right frame of mind to be around people of such status at present. I don’t wish for them to look down on me and think I am trying to be someone I’m not. I will feel out of place there.”

Why are they sooo robotic

Thomas chuckled and shook his head. “I have known you my entire life, James. I know when there is something on your mind.”

Yknow despite james fighting in a war and all... We are led to believe at once that he is broken and also... Unchanged??? And this is like the 4th time we've heard this line

“There was. There still is,” James said, nodding his head in agreement with everything his younger brother was saying. When had Thomas become so mature?

Good. This is good. Well. Better LOL

“It is a welcome distraction from the screams inside my own head,” Emma said, with a sadness that tugged at his heart.

Wtf....?

Abigail smiled and glanced at Julia, who was in a rather spirited conversation with Emma, and nodded. “Indeed. I met her a few weeks ago and she has been one of the few people I decided to immediately trust. It is a strange feeling to explain but she has become my confidant. Only we cannot see one another every day, as she accompanies her great-aunt, mostly.”

Everyone is baring their souls in each line while sounding stilted and robotic. Where is the coy speak? The shyness? This is pissing me off

Abigail nodded in agreement and looked into James’s eyes. They were so deep and full of complexity. She wondered at the man behind the surface.

HELP

She was, indeed, attracted to James, as he was a very handsome man.

Is there anything else

“How long?” “Six years.” Oh, my. “That is a long time. Especially to be away from the people you care for.” His brothers. His family. “Time is a warped perception, especially when days and nights fade into one.” Abigail frowned at the sudden sadness in his eyes. Clearly, he was still raw with the trauma that had no doubt followed him home. “I did not realise you are a soldier.” “I was. I no longer am. I served for six years, and it was... enough. I am grateful to be home, alive and unscathed.” “Are you really? Unscathed, that is?” Abigail asked, studying him intently. She could tell he was guarding his true feelings of terror from his time at war. He was a strong and proud man, and it was likely he did not wish for her to see him vulnerable. “Let us not discuss these things at such a delightful soiree and enjoy the evening instead,” he said lightly. As expected, James managed to change the topic of conversation in an attempt to distract Abigail. Which she’d allow... for the moment.

Hmmmm not bad this is three star material. This highlight. This book is zero stars

“Is that an approved subscription?” Mrs. Roth asked and motioned to the letter in Abigail’s hand. Abigail bit her lip. Darn it. Her mother would not hand it back the way she wanted to. James grinned. “Indeed, it is. I wish to bestow it upon Abigail, as well as invite her to join me at the Assembly Rooms for a poetry reading. But she declined.” “Don’t be silly, Abigail,” her mother said and turned to James. “Nothing would mean more to her than to accept. You have such a generous heart.” James looked expectantly at Abigail, whose cheeks flushed with heat. She forced herself to say what was expected. “Forgive me for declining. I was merely concerned for my mother’s health.” “If it pleases you and Mrs. Roth, I can arrange a companion to care for your mother while you join me at any social events—such as the poetry reading, or any others in the future. Those your mother does not feel up to attending herself, of course.” “That is wonderful, James. Thank you,” Mrs. Roth said. “Indeed. Thank you for being so generous,” Abigail said,

It's all too easy. Ughhh

James ran a hand through his hair, ready to admit aloud that he was indeed, acting out of character. “My pursuit of Abigail is... unexpected. She is unlike any woman I have ever met. She does not swoon openly in my presence and she has her own manner of thinking, which is rather refreshing.” “Such as?” “I can converse with her comfortably and, although there is the occasional moment when I feel anxious, our conversations have meaning. It is not the same mindless chatter of money and status, and how large my—”

Wish to god we could see these interactions instead of. Hear about them

He had never felt this way about a woman before. Her happiness and comfort were a priority for him.

Her chuckle wasbitter.

“It seems we both have a war story of sorts.” Abigail smiled sadly and nodded. “It would seem so.”

Good

“My father and I did so as well. We shared many laughs around this table,” Abigail said, running her hand lightly over the smooth wood. She cocked her head. She had not spoken very much of her father’s passing, especially not to her mother. There had been many heartaches the past years for her, and often she had felt very alone. Especially after her father’s death.

So they had this house before Mrs. Roth's illness?

Those hands that had touched her cheeks so gently yet had also fired a rifle in battle.

Remove "yet" for the love of god

“I was wondering if you would care to join me on the island?” James asked and motioned to the dock where the boat was buoyed. “The island in the middle of the lake? You and me? Alone?” she asked. “Indeed.” Abigail’s eyes sparkled and the corners of her mouth curled up seductively. “I would love to.”

Like it leaves nothing unsaid and it bothers the fuck out of me

She was not even sure whether he felt the same way about her. Given the kind of man he was, she was sure he would not have been intimate with her if he did not feel anything for her.

What

She would certainly make the perfect mistress for the summer and he couldn’t, in good conscience, allow himself to think of her as anything more than that. And yet, was that fair to her? Deep down he knew the answer, but he shoved it away. The broken shards of himself were much too sharp to care for someone without injury, both to himself and to the other person.

Oh so after it not mattering for 50% of the book... SUDDENLY his wartime is actually serving a purpose.

No woman deserved a broken man such as himself and he would rather be alone than risk hurting and disappointing another person.

We get it thanks for telling us for the third time this page

Uncle Leonard’s

Though Julia had been little help when the Timothy fiasco was afoot.

Erm... She met Julia after moving to Weymouth, though...

Abigail averted her eyes, no longer able to look at James without wishing he would wrap her in his strong arms and kiss her passionately.

Girl shut up

Abigail swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked away the hot tears that stung her eyes. “You perplex me, James. And to be entirely honest, it is exhausting.”

1 time. I'm on her side but. 1 time. She wouldn't last a minute in modern dating

THE GLOW ON ABIGAIL’S skin caused by the sunlight beaming down on her and the gentle breeze blowing her dark brown locks away from her face were too mesmerizing a picture for James to look elsewhere.

Eww sloppy sentence

“I understand that your time in France was difficult and traumatising. I cannot even begin to comprehend the things you have seen or heard or experienced. Referring back to our conversation in the folly, your wounds need to be cleansed in order to heal properly. I believe that is what you said.”

I think therapy has indirectly caused books but ESPECIALLY dialog to suffer greatly

We cried together even if it was only on the inside. “We mourned our fallen brothers.

Omg proper punctuation. I'm thrilled

“There is no point in doing so, as most of our sorrows are fully capable of swimming,” Abigail said.

Kinda good. I'll highlight it because nine others have

“I do feel guilty for how I behaved at the estate. It was not fair to you. But I am not inviting you to the theatre out of guilt. I enjoy your company very much. You understand me better than almost anyone. I do not comprehend why, or how that is possible. No woman has ever understood me. Not... the real me.” She smiled at him, meeting his gaze with a strength that took his breath away. “I only understand because I have been through my own war, as you said. Also, the other women did not take the time to look into your soul. From what I have heard, they were much more interested in your body than your mind and your heart, and you embraced their fascination.”

I wish we got to have interactions that weren't just telling us everything. Like how does she "get" him? Am i missing something or does the book just suck

She narrowed her eyes at Julia. “And how would you know that?” Was it possible her friend was on that supposed “list” and was therefore speaking from experience and perhaps, spiteful envy?

Bffr omg

“He might seem charming and kind and attentive, but do not allow that to fool you. Or his handsome good looks to captivate you and cloud your vision. It is a trick. He tricks women.” “And how would you know that?” Abigail asked, her tone as sharp as the edge of a sword. “He did it to me in London. He lured me in with his tales of woe. He spoke words that took my breath away. He made me feel important, as if I mattered to him more than anything.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “After I gave myself to him, he discarded me as though I were nothing. His powerful words carried no depth.” “And when did this happen?” Julia asked, while Abigail’s mouth ran dry. “Before the start of summer. He had just returned from France, and he blamed his tormented state on his behaviour. Then he left for Weymouth.” Abigail’s lips parted and her heart pounded painfully in her chest. No! Oh no.

Erm... The plot thickens!! wish this book were subvertive but i doubt it..

“There you have it,” Julia said, though she looked more upset for Abigail than triumphant at being proven right.

Heart emoji

She was horrified and appalled by her own naivety and stupidity.

Good

She knew better than to believe she deserved love, especially from the brother of a duke.

What omg. No. Girl is missing the point SO bad omg.

It was, in fact, not her place to interfere and attempt to cause a rift between them.

Ummmmm..... As a friend to Abigail yes it is. HundOpercent

“Of course, you would not. You have no regard for any other person’s feelings but your own.”

So relevant to the great comet quote that's been stuck in my head. "You are ruining a whole life, for the sake of amusing yourself!"

He considered himself someone of good character.

How...

He tried again. “Who would you rather believe at this very moment in time? A woman you have never met or heard of, before this evening? Or me?”

I would trust the woman lol. Ez