The Guardian Duke: by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Wayward Duke’s Alliance, #21  &  The Vicar’s Daughters, Prequel

Release Date: April 22, 2025

Lady Penelope Johanson and Henry Simpson met years ago when Henry was still the Marquess of Broadridge, and his sister was (unbeknownst to him) blackmailing Penelope’s brother the Marquess of Felding. Needless to say, Penelope was not a fan of the Simpson siblings. She did come to realize that Henry was not aware of his sister’s treachery, but that doesn’t mean she likes him.

Now years later, Henry is now the Duke of Eldridge and the guardian of his five unmarried female cousins. Penelope notices that his cousins, they are lovely young ladies but have become wallflowers and Penelope decides to step in to help them. She takes them under her wing, determined to make them shine. Penelope long ago decided that she would not marry, she is happy with her independence and refuses to give up that freedom without love, something she is sure she will never find, but doesn’t anticipate her attraction to Henry. When they are embroiled in scandal, she may have to decide if she is willing to accept ruin or give up on her dream of true love.

Henry Simpson, the Duke of Eldridge was perfectly happy with his bachelor life, but when he takes responsibility for his orphaned cousins, he puts his rakish ways on hold and sets out to launch his cousins in society – too bad he has no idea how to do that and due to their strict upbringing, neither do they. When Lady Penelope starts to involve herself with his cousins, he can’t help but realize how much he desires her, but life with Penelope would not be calm and he has no desire for a managing wife. He seeks advice from the Duke’s Alliance, but unfortunately, when it comes to love – he will have to figure it out himself and hope he can convince Penelope that they are meant to be.

I enjoyed this installment of the Wayward Duke’s Alliance and was delighted to learn that it is also the prequel to a new series featuring Henry’s cousins! As always, the writing is great, and the story moves along nicely. Henry and Penelope are wonderful characters, and it is clear that they are perfect for each other – but as we know, the road to happily ever after is never a smooth ride and these two will have their fair share of bumps on their journey. I do wish there had been a bit of steam in this story or even an epilogue, but overall, it was a fun read, and I am looking forward to the new series.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *