Was there a part that bored or that you didn't really like in the book? *

Even a character, a scene, or anything. You could say no if nothing bothered you.

What did you think of the pacing of the book, and did you feel that the plot moved at a good pace? *

• I found the pacing of the book to be quite slow, with the plot dragging at times
• Overall, I thought the pacing of the book was just right.
• Personally, I felt that the plot moved too quickly at times.

Did you think there was enough dialogue in the book, or did you feel like there was too much exposition? *

• I felt that there was too much exposition in the book and not enough dialogue.
• Overall, I thought the balance between dialogue and exposition in the book was good.
• Personally, I felt that there was too much dialogue in the book and not enough exposition.

Did you enjoy the slow burn element of the romance? *

• Yes, I enjoyed the slow burn element of the romance.
• No, I did not enjoy the slow burn element of the romance.

What would you like to read about in a future sequel?

It could be a certain trope, scene, setting, character trait, event, etc. Whatever comes to your mind!

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Two years later

Peter and Medea sat in the library, surrounded by shelves upon shelves of leather-bound books. Medea admired the room’s beauty, the high ceilings, the intricate moldings, and the mahogany bookcases that lined the walls. The smell of fresh books filled the air, a comforting and familiar scent that made her feel right at home.

“This is a lovely space,” Medea said, running her hand over the spine of a book. “I can’t believe how fortunate we are to have it.”

Peter smiled at her, his eyes twinkling with affection. “We are lucky indeed. The old library had been in our family for generations. It is lucky we were able to save at least some of it.”

Medea nodded, her gaze drifting to the window. “It hard to believe that this library and most of our home was nothing but ash just a few months ago.”

Peter’s expression grew serious. “Yes, it was a terrible loss, all our books gone in an instant.”

“But we were blessed,” Medea said, her voice filled with gratitude. “Our friends and the community rallied around us. They gifted us hundreds of books, and we’ve been able to rebuild our collection.” It was true. After Medea and Peter returned from their honeymoon, an extended trip to Scotland, they had been shocked to find their ruined home back to its former glory.

Henry had oversaw the construction and reconstruction of Peter’s family home, and Medea’s father helped whenever needed.

Together with Thomas, the two men had ensured their home was ready for them—and not just ready, comfortably furnished and with enough books to last them a lifetime. The old library had been replicated due to Howard’s input, and many of their books had been replaced.

Much of this was due to Thomas and Howard’s efforts. Together, they’d compiled a list of books they knew Peter loved and then obtained a similar list from Althea, Matilda, and Clara for Medea.

Then, they’d combed through London’s bookshops to purchase as many as possible. Soon, word had spread that the Duke and Duchess of Lennox loved books, and donations had poured in from their fellow lords and ladies.

Along with books, furniture, curtains, wine, and cutlery, everything they might need, had been donated. Under Lord Foley’s leadership, the donations had been sorted and placed in the home. Whatever was not needed had been donated to charitable causes Medea and Peter both cared about. A large portion had gone to the Wounded Soldier Society run by Mr. Donovan.

Thanks to Howard’s keen business sense, Peter’s investments had grown exponentially during his absence, and he found he was once again flush with money. Indeed, he had been so flush that he’d given a healthy dose of money to Mr. Donovan for his new society. In addition, Medea and Peter had invested in a new program that sought to train animals to help those without sight. He didn’t know if such a venture would ever work out, but he thought it worthwhile.

As for their home, it was beautiful. Peter had been a little apprehensive upon their return, as he had to re-learn his home, but with Isaac and Roger’s help, he’d managed soon enough.

Indeed, they were to hold a housewarming ball, as Althea called it, the following week to thank their friends, neighbors, and families for their generosity.

Peter cleared his throat, a hint of a smile returning to his lips. “Yes, we were lucky indeed. Good friends and family have supported us through thick and thin.”

Medea leaned against him, her hand resting on his arm. “We truly are blessed,” she said softly. “And we have each other, through all of life’s ups and downs as well.”

Peter wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. “Yes, we do,” he said, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. “And I thank the stars every day for that.” He grinned in her direction. “I am also grateful for your willingness to read to me, my love. Thankfully, we have enough books once more.”

“Enough to last us until we are in our eighties,” Medea confirmed but took his hint. Medea picked up their latest book and giggled while Peter rested his head on her stomach and took a deep breath.

The novel called Mansfield Park, by an author simply named A Lady, was their latest addition, a gift from Clara. Medea managed to read three pages before Peter sat upright.

“I felt the baby kick.”

Medea sat on the couch with her hand resting on her swollen belly, feeling the baby move. Peter sat beside her, a smile on his face. “I think the baby likes the name Edmund if it’s a boy,” Medea said, given she’d just read a section containing that name.

Peter chuckled. “Or Fanny if it’s a girl.”

Medea wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think we should name our daughter Fanny.”

“Why not?” Peter asked. “It’s a perfectly lovely name.”

Medea shook her head. “It just doesn’t sound right to me. Besides, it is Brandon’s mother’s name.”

Peter let out a loud moan and shook his head. “Very well, not Fanny or Wilbur. That is his father’s name.” Peter shook his head. “They were always nice to me when I was a boy. What a disaster this all turned out to be for them. Their only son was buried and with the reputation of a madman. I am surprised his sister found a husband.”

Medea nodded, feeling unease in her stomach as she thought of those awful times. At least with Brandon gone for good, they knew they did not have to worry about these things anymore. A few of his friends continued to harass them whenever they were out, but far more people were willing to stand up for Peter and Medea. Those few ne’er-do-wells hardly troubled them anymore.

Suddenly, Roger jumped up on the couch and let out a bark. “I think he’s jealous,” Medea said.

Peter laughed. “I think he just wants to join in the search for a name.”

Medea smiled but shook her head at the dog. “We’re not naming the baby Roger.”

Roger placed his head on Medea’s rounded stomach, and the baby kicked again. Roger leaped off the couch and barked excitedly.

“He’s probably just happy to have a new person in the house,” Peter said. “He knows what pregnancy is because Matilda and Althea just had babies, and he met them before and after they were pregnant. He’s a clever boy, after all.”

Peter ruffled Roger’s fur, and the dog settled back on Medea’s lap, content. They sat quietly, listening to his breathing and the gentle movements of the baby inside Medea.

She resumed reading aloud from her book, but after a few minutes, she realized Peter had fallen asleep. Medea set the book down and gazed down at her sleeping husband. He appeared peaceful, and for that, she was immensely grateful. They’d been through a lot together, but nothing compared to what Peter had gone through on his own.

She ran her hand through his thick hair when Roger looked up. She petted him with her other hand and leaned back as a sense of calm washed over her.

Medea knew she finally had what she had always desired as she sat in their new home, so lovingly furnished by their friends, and with her husband and their dog beside her, a peaceful life with a man who loved her, a loyal companion, and soon a child of their own. Their future was bright, and she knew she’d love and adore Peter for the rest of their lives.

If you want to know what lies ahead in our story, you may want to get the sequel…

In a world of societal expectations and stifling traditions, Iris Linfield and Euan McNeil find themselves bound by fate and desire. As Iris desperately flees from an unwanted betrothal, little does she know that her escape will lead her right back to Euan—the very man she was determined to run away from. And when Euan uncovers the truth, his revenge will be a dish served hot, leaving her begging for more…

A Trick to Tame the Duke