Many wives would be delighted when the husband who has been missing for six years returns. Verity, Duchess of Blackburn, is most definitely not one of them. Rufus was cruel and violent. His return is her worst nightmare. Except… he's changed. So much so, she's wondering if he's actually the man she married at all.
Kit only wants what he was promised. Impersonating a duke could get him hanged… yet even when the opportunity presents, he can't make himself abandon Verity and her son Beau. The lies are beginning to add up, though, and sooner or later, someone's going to figure out he's an impostor.
This is a really lovely story. Verity was obviously tormented during her brief period of marriage, though thankfully not too much of the abuse was spelled out. Kit's honorable nature made them a perfect match once the legal difficulties were resolved.
Though this is the ninth in this series, it stands well alone. Simon and Diana (from The Duke Of Ruin) feature as prominent side characters, but it's not at all necessary to have read that book to thoroughly enjoy this one. Five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.