The Dutiful Rake (Harlequin Historical) [Mass Market Paperback]

Elizabeth Rolls (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Historical | Publication Date: July 1, 2004

Winner - 2003 HOLT Medallion - Best Regency

Editorial Reviews

Review

Rolls pens a story . . . with poignancy and sensuality. -- Romantic Times, July 2004

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373293127
• ISBN-13: 978-0373293124
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,258,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The rake's redemption..., November 7, 2004

By 

Anza Carrillo "heavenlyanza" (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dutiful Rake (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)

Although Marcus, the Earl of Rutherford, is a confirmed bachelor and a most notorious rake, he knows that he must resign himself to marriage in order to produce an heir. His current air, his cousin, has no desire to become a duke, and would rather spend his time in scholarly pursuits than the duties of a duke. So Marcus, intent on marrying someone just as cynical and hardened as himself, decides to propose a marriage of convenience to a widow with a dubious reputation, his mistress. But before he can do so, he is called out of town to settle his dead great-uncle's estates - and returns to London with a wife!

Miss Marguerite Fellowes had spent her life suffering from the scandal of her parents' deaths, always the unwanted relation. When Marcus comes, she is near death from influenza, and because Marcus nurses her back to health, her reputation is in shambles and no one will want to employ her again. So when Marcus proposes a marriage of convenience to her, she accepts, but soon discovers there is a vast difference between Marcus, the private person, and the Earl of Rutherford, his public personality.

I read this book directly after reading "The Unexpected Bride" by the same author, and quickly realized that the plot was virtually the same, with a few minor alterations here and there. That was a bit disappointing, since the plot of the former book was still fresh in my mind. Still, I did enjoy this book, but not as much as I probably would have had I waited to read it.

As mentioned by another reviewer, all of the disagreements between the hero and heroine could have probably been solved by a long talk, but after learning more about Meg and Marcus's childhoods and personalities, the occurrence of such a talk looked pretty remote unless extenuating circumstances forced them to come clean to one another. I didn't understand Sir Winterborne's fascination with desiring to harm Meg, nor did I understand why Winterborne was so hateful towards Marcus. An explanation was eventually given, but it wasn't a credible one in my view. Also, Marcus' tendency to distance himself from his emotions was never adequately explained for my liking. Oh well, this book was still pretty good, and I'd probably read it again.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MOST EXCELLENT - REGENCY ROMANCE - 7 STARS, July 16, 2005

By 

M. Hartmann "abayyan" (Milan, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dutiful Rake (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)

REGENCY - remember REGENCY!
Having said that - What is not to understand about our characters attitude and especially Winterbourns petty acts of revenge. He just thought he could get away with it. Typical male bullying tactics.

And really, who said sex can't be exciting after marriage. Such a delightful change [again] from the contemporary loose females.

Meg was a delightful innocent and Marcus, the Earl of Rutherford was a Rake who indulged his baser desired with widows as mistresses.

He had no desire to marry [most Rakes don't] but in Regency times the inheritable lineage must be protected.

The Regency women had no control over their lives and an advantageous marriage was their normal security. I was waiting for Marc to become suspecious of his friend, Jack Hamilton but he exhibited more brains and trust than I thought he would.

Lack of communication between the sexes was very definite in the Regency period and hasn't changed an awful lot in this day and age.
Marc showed human decency in offering marriage to Meg and eventually reaped the benefits of love.
Great cast of characters - a most enjoyable story - worthy of being a keeper

Please, Please, Please, E.R. write Jack's story - he is a wonderful character and we would like to meet the Earl and Meg again.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -- Great story - definitely a keeper for my shelf.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb historical romance, June 30, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dutiful Rake (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)

His sister and his aunt rage at Marcus Langley insisting that the thirty-five year old rake marry and have a son so that the line can continue. The angry Duke knows he needs a spouse, but detests the pushy interference of his relatives. He scares them by showing interest in a loose widow.

Marcus travels to his newest estate that he inherited from a penny-pinching great uncle. He is shocked to see the horrendous condition of Fenby and even worse how ill resident Marguerite Fellowes is. He brings in the doctor and nurses the sick woman back to health. He also spends money to help the impoverished tenants. Marcus knows that he has compromised Marguerite, but concludes that he had no choice. When she recovers, they argue about her future. Ultimately, he offers her a marriage of convenience in which after the heir is born they go their own separate ways. However, they fall in love and Marcus wants to renegotiate the deal, but has to convince his spouse even while his enemy sniffs after his beloved wife like a prize.

Although at first brush, THE DUTIFUL RAKE seems typical of the Regency sub-genre with an innocent woman and a rake falling in love. However, the superb historical romance insures that the initial look at the lead couple is peeled away so that the true inner essence of kindhearted caring souls emerge with the twist that Marguerite has the scandalous background. The story line focuses on the lead duo with the support cast (friends, family, and foes) enhancing what the reader knows about this delightful pair. Readers will demand to know the tale of Marcus' pal Jack.

Harriet Klausner