A Lady’s Ruthless Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel (Regency Ethereal Encounters Book 4)
This marriage was a matter of duty, nothing more… or so I thought.
Adrian Norfolk, the Duke of Norenshire, has spent years mastering the art of detachment, his heart shielded by icy walls forged in childhood. Driven by responsibility, he agrees to marry Lady Arabella Cooper, a match born of necessity, not desire.
Arabella, independent and quietly fierce, resents a marriage that seems more a business arrangement than a promise of companionship. Yet, beneath Adrian’s cold exterior, she glimpses the man he once was, a man capable of love.
As their worlds collide, and old wounds resurface, the line between obligation and desire blurs. Can a loveless arrangement become the greatest love of all, or will the shadows of their pasts keep them forever apart?
A Lady’s Ruthless Duke is a historical romance novel of approximately 60,000 words, no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. If you like the Regency and Victorian era, this novel is for you.
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Customer Reviews
A*********r
Overly emotional
It read as if it was written by AI. It was difficult to understand because too much of it was internal reflection by the main characters instead of proceeding with the plot. Had a difficult time finishing it.March 24, 2025
R*********s
I couldn’t finish it…
I have enjoyed the author’s series up until this one. It was painful to read and experience the storyline. The Duke was ridiculously aloof bordering on a mental psychosis. I cannot believe such interaction, or lack thereof, could exist between these two people and this book evolve into a smooth happier ending. There is not enough time to get them there. I gave it a two stars because the duchess/cousin Victoria and business partner Edwin were genuinely nice characters.February 13, 2025
G****a
Granna
I love this book!! It kept me reading for hours. I couldn’t wait to see how things played out with Adrian and Arabella.January 4, 2025
M**V
A Business/An Arrangement/An Advisory
An arranged marriage to help his business leads to the Duke caring more about his wife. And then a very serious injury leads everyone to find the perpetrator. Then a wife who finds love in her marriage & waits for his recovery. And both know family is everything.December 27, 2024
S***************n
Good but boring
I liked the book especially at first but it took to long to even get to a kiss! It was ok but just kind of boring. I actually enjoyed more of Victoria and Edwin’s story. Not a bad read,just thought there could have been a bit more fire between them.December 26, 2024
D****************y
Slightly Different Story Line
While still set in the same time period as most books of this genre, this book deals with a family living through the aftermath of their older daughter’s elopement with her tutor. If you have read any books like this, you are aware that reputation was a big thing, especially for women. Men could have their “bad boy “ period and make a turn for the better but for a woman to have her family’s reputation soiled was almost impossible to survive. For the main character, Clarissa, having her sister elope tarnished her reputation even though she had done nothing. Her season was interrupted and the family ended up leaving London for their country home. So this story is set mainly during a Christmas season at a wealthy home. It absolutely amazes me how a family would invite families or friends to come and stay for two or more weeks during Christmas. They would host an elaborate ball after which some guests returned home but a good many guests stayed for the next couple weeks or so. The hosts planned activities for daytime and evening hours which had to be quite expensive. But the expense was also on guests as they might need 3-4 changes of clothing, which meant no repeats of outfits. In this story, we have the Earl. Lord Bolton, returning home after earning quite a reputation as a take during his years traveling around Europe. He meets a guest, Clarissa, and finds himself smitten, realizing that he must change his ways immediately in order to win her love. Of course, Clarissa is also smitten and struggles with what her reputation will be should she give into her feelings for the Earl. I find this era fascinating as society had so many demands on women but men could do as they wanted. I do like the books that allow the lead women to be intelligent, well-read and aware of current events.December 22, 2024
B***Y
Another good read from Emily Barnet
Good book, interesting, and well written. Entertaining!December 21, 2024
A*************r
Without choices, she still chose to make the best of the situation.
I loved the characters and their interactions. This story does encourage you to believe that good can come from any situation.December 21, 2024
B***y
Engaging and Entertaining
Apprehension and fear of a marriage of convenience to one’s betrothed/husband, dreams of love seemingly dashed, intrigue, mystery, a villain filled with nefarious purposes, love born, and a hopeful future. What more could one ask for in a Regency novel. Emily Barnet has another winner!December 20, 2024
M******************a
A sweet historical romance of determination, hope and abiding love
As most ladies of nobility, Lady Arabella is arranged to be married to a notoriously cold and distant Duke, Lord Adrian. This depicts how those even in the upper classes of English society are made to conform to what their parents arrange for their children’s futures. Despite his indifference and often callous treatment, Lady Arabella is determined to thaw the Duke’s icy heart and hope that their marriage of convenience will turn out to be one of mutual affection, esteem and respect. It is by sheer courage, force, intelligence and patience that Lady Arabella forges on to become the best Duchess to her husband despite his reluctance and constant acts of pushing her away. Little by little, she manages to chip away the defenses the Duke has put up after years of emotional and mental abuse from a stern and cruel father. But will Lady Arabella’s efforts be enough to achieve hers and Lord Adrian’s happily ever after? Despite typographical errors, this is a satisfying historical love story. What caused the star deduction is how swift the novel ended and with focus often shifting to another romance of secondary characters. The novel might as well have been titled Arabella’s and Victoria’s Romances or Love for Two Cousins. In other words, this reader hoped for more pages emphasized on Arabella and Adrian rather than the supporting couple. More time should’ve spent boosting the love story especially towards the end. Since the story end was rather quick unsatisfactorily, this reader was left hoping for more.December 20, 2024
R*********e
Two very different love stories in one!
Adrian was abused by his strict father, making him into a seemingly cold duke who only cares about making business deals. Arabella finds it difficult to break through his walls but bit by bit, she does. The sweet romance blooming between Edwin (Adrian’s business partner) and Victoria (Arabella’s cousin) keeps the book from being too sad during the time when Adrian and Arabella are trying to figure out how to get along. A business rival to Adrian and Edwin resorts to sabotage and then violence. In the end, the love that slowly blossomed between Adrian and his wife conquers all. This book integrated two love stories at once which balanced the entire story out nicely. Loved it!December 19, 2024
E******e
Good story
This is the story of Arabella and Adrian. What starts out as an arrange marriage of convenience turns in to so much more. Arabella is feisty and out going and Adrian is cold and withdrawn. Arabella is determined to thaw him out. This story has its up And downs but a very good read with a HEA.December 19, 2024
S****n
love
This is an interesting story of how love can be in many different forms. Emily Barnet has written a wonderful book that shall touch anyone who reads it.December 19, 2024
L*****G
Good
This story was pretty good. I like Arabella’s personality. I liked how she warmed the Duke.December 19, 2024
T**i
Cold hearted Duke marrys for business convenience
Duke Adrian is cold and unemotional. He inflicts pain , loneliness and confusion in his new wife Arabella. The reader feels the hurts as they are drawn into the story with apt descriptions. Slowly the emotional hardness of the Duke is revealed as a deep scarring by a cruel father. Of course there are parents that force the marriage and yet friends that encourage and support the Duke and Duchess. A very traumatic event and suspenseful situations captivated the reader. Slowly respect and love develops to bring a happy ending. An Enjoyable regency novel.December 19, 2024
M**y
Love Regency Romance
Take an historical trip with this gem. So many marriages were arranged back then, and many were loveless. Pick this up to see if they find true love after all. You won’t be disappointed. The Duke might just stop hiding behind his masks after all.December 18, 2024
B*****************n
Enjoyed
Well written Interesting story lineDecember 18, 2024
E****************y
An excellent book
A wonderful book. I would really like to know more about what happened to Sidney but the extended epilogue was missing.December 17, 2024
J*d
Good read!
Though this book has a plot similar to other books I found enjoyment in reading it. The characters were very engaging. So often father’s destroy their sons by belittling, controlling and harsh words. That was the father of the Duke of Norenshire turning him into a cold icy man. He knew he had to marry to help with his business dealings. Yet when he met Lady Arabella he got more than he bargained for.December 17, 2024
L************y
Good
Throughly enjoyed this book! Strong characters with twist and turns.December 17, 2024
D******h
The arranged marriage
“A Lady’s Ruthless Duke” by Emily Barnet delivers an emotional tale of an arranged marriage that evolves beyond obligation. The icy, detached Duke and fiercely independent Arabella navigate secrets, societal pressures, and lingering wounds. With a rich blend of tension, romance, and supportive relationships, the story balances angst and hope. Arabella is a warm and friendly character who works to melt the Duke’s iciness and for a successful partnership and marriage. The supportive friends and family add great warmth to the story, especially at the end of the story. I enjoyed this historical story.December 17, 2024
K***********n
Lacking in Passion
I struggled to enjoy the novel. It needs proofreading, and that put me off. I didn’t care for the lack of passion between the principals, either. Some strong feeling would have pumped this up for me. I did like the characters, but I wanted to love them.December 17, 2024
G**.
kindred spirits
Marriages of convenience rarely turn into HEAs, if you are lucky, there is mutual respect and maybe fondness, understanding and a bond will develop over time, so I was pleased when two hurt souls found their HEA after a start that looked less than promising.December 16, 2024
C***********g
A Most Interesting Storyline
Different than the first novel since the story was told most in third person to give the reader an understanding of the underlying past emotional history of the male lead. The story was a pleasant and satisfying read. Several typos were noted as follows: Chapter 7, page 9/location 1018 0f 3897 — last line of page reads And nothing every would be when it should read And nothing ever would be: Chapter 10, page 7/location 1387 of 3897 — 4th line of page reads His tough should read His touch Chapter 16, page 8/location 2181 of 3897 — 2nd line of page reads I was intoxicating should read It was intoxicatingDecember 16, 2024
c**********3
Romance
Well written. Love the characters.December 16, 2024
K***********f
Great read
I enjoyed the authors work in this book. It was a great read.December 16, 2024
J**************l
Enjoyed this one….
I enjoyed this one just as much as the others in this series. Forced marriage of convenience that turns into love.December 16, 2024
Jo
enjoyable
A fully entertaining and engaging story. The characters are well developed and captivating. Very enjoyable story over all.December 16, 2024
J**********e
A delight
It seems, in today’s world, unbelievable that a young woman could be given in marriage to a man who she does know nor love, but in days past it was a common occurrence. What sadness, what fear she must have felt…but what a delight for us to read in this captivating book! Realistic characters, both main and supporting, as well as a n obviously crazy villain, and this tale becomes an interesting story of growth and love.December 16, 2024
