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Designs on a Duke: A Regency Historical Romance (The Bluestocking Scandals Book 1) Kindle Edition
Her secret will save a legacy. But it could also break her heart when faced with a duke caught between two identities.
The daughter of a famed architect, Rebecca Lambert has been raised among the nobility yet understands the circumstances of her birth. Becoming an architect is a dream, not an option, until she must assume an identity to protect her father’s name.
No one was pleased when Valentine St. Vincent was shockingly named the Duke of Wyndham -- least of all Valentine himself. He has always led with his fists, but now he must become the man his brother was supposed to be.
When Valentine hires Rebecca’s father, she takes on the work herself. But as she spends more and more time at the duke’s homes, she finds herself hopelessly falling for a man she can never have. For the Duke of Wyndham must marry a woman for her dowry and respectability -- two things Rebecca can never provide.
Will Rebecca and Val resign themselves to the lives chosen for them, or those they were born to live?
Designs on a Duke is a steamy regency romance.- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJanuary 14, 2020
- File size3.2 MB
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See full series-
First 3$11.97
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First 5$19.95
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All 8$31.92
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First 3$11.97
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First 5$19.95
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All 8$31.92
This option includes 3 books.
This option includes 5 books.
This option includes 8 books.
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From the Publisher
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
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Designs on a Duke
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Inventing the Viscount
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Discovering the Baron
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The Valet Experiment
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Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,629
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4.4 out of 5 stars 1,065
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4.4 out of 5 stars 621
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4.4 out of 5 stars 596
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Price | $3.99$3.99 | $3.99$3.99 | $3.99$3.99 | $3.99$3.99 |
The Bluestocking Scandals | Book 1 | Book 2 | Book 3 | Book 4 |
Her secret will save a legacy. But it could also break her heart when faced with a duke caught between two identities. | Lady Fredericka “Freddie” Ashworth might never marry for love, but she will settle for a marriage of convenience. | She’s spying on him. He’s engaged to another. Can their stars ever align? | How does he ever protect a woman whose greatest danger is herself? |
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Writing the Rake
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Risking the Detective
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A Noble Excavation
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A Gentleman of Mystery
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Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars 502
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4.5 out of 5 stars 505
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4.4 out of 5 stars 396
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4.5 out of 5 stars 492
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Price | $3.99$3.99 | $3.99$3.99 | $3.99$3.99 | $3.99$3.99 |
The Bluestocking Scandals | Book 5 | Book 6 | Book 7 | Book 8 |
There is only one way this fake courtship can end. Disaster. | She was swindled, ruined, and left for dead. She will take back her life and her pride -- but she will never fall in love again. | Will forbidden love at first sight between the fossil hunter and the second son of an earl be strong enough to withstand all that stands in their way? | There are only three things Bow Street runner Georgina Jenkins knows about the man she pulls out of the Thames. His name, his lack of memory, and the fact that he’s in trouble. |
Editorial Reviews
Review
★★★★★
Karen Meyers, The Naked Reviewers
"Ellie St. Clair has a smooth, laid-back style of writing that captured me from the first page until the last. Like easy-listening music, the words flowed into my mind. I could smell the smells and sense the deserted feel of the house. The characters are very well thought-out and jump off the page with a mere movement. I love how Ellie worked the story, adding Regency details here and there that brought it all to life for me."
★★★★★
Sherry Terry, The Naked Reviewers
"I just finished my second reading of this book and I loved it just as much the second time! The characters are so fresh and real they just jump out of the story and live in your heart."
★★★★★
Momo
"I simply love the friendship formed among the ladies to be able to create the series. Each woman intriguing in her own way and therefore the reader wants to learn of their individual romances."
★★★★★
Secret Pearls Reviews
"The author wrote this story in such interesting flow that I could not stop until i reached the end. I do enjoy reading about strong women willing to follow their passion."
★★★★★
Jean
"This is a very fast moving, steamy love story with many twist and turns. I couldn't put it down and stayed up late to finish it. Be sure and get your copy. Hint-- don't start reading if you have appointments. As you will miss them."
★★★★★
Nanna
"The book is well written and the characters are realistic. I enjoyed reading this book. Once I started reading I was unable to put the book down. Ellie St. Clair has a way with words that just draws you into the stories. I was hooked from the first page."
★★★★★
CRAFTINGMAMA1985
Product details
- ASIN : B083F3R7FZ
- Publisher : (January 14, 2020)
- Publication date : January 14, 2020
- Language : English
- File size : 3.2 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 248 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #406,330 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,370 in Women's Historical Fiction
- #4,944 in Victorian Historical Romance (Kindle Store)
- #8,322 in Regency Historical Romance
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Ellie has always loved reading, writing, and history. For many years she has written short stories, non-fiction, and can hardly believe that she is now living out her dream writing historical romance.
In every era there is the chance for romance, and Ellie enjoys exploring many different time periods, cultures, and geographic locations. No matter when or where, love can always prevail. She has a particular soft spot for the bad boys of history, and can't help but write of strong, feisty heroines.
Ellie and her husband love nothing more than spending time at home with their two sons and Husky cross. Ellie can typically be found at the lake in the summer, pushing the stroller all year round, and, of course, with her computer in her lap or a book in hand.
Hearing from readers always makes her day!
Contact her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/elliestclair, and sign up for her mailing list at http://www.prairielilypress.com/ellie-st-clair.
(Copy and paste the above links into your browser).
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoy the engaging story and find it heartwarming. They find the characters interesting and likable, portraying smart, curious women. The book is described as well-written and edited. Readers appreciate the strong female characters and the author's feminism regarding all female characters. They describe the romance as endearing and touching. Customers also appreciate the architecture and strength of Rebecca.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoyed the story. They found it interesting and held their interest throughout. The book had a unique storyline that they enjoyed. Readers also mentioned that the love story was heartwarming and well-written.
"...I loved the dynamic of their relationship, they are both aware of what is at stake and of what is expected from them but they also hope for more..." Read more
"...After that it became interesting and I was anxious to see how it ended. I hope the second in this series is better." Read more
"An enjoyable story, a daughter with a secret to save a legacy and a boxer who becomes a Duke in name only...." Read more
"The book is well written and the characters are realistic. I enjoyed reading this book. Once I started reading I was unable to put the book down...." Read more
Customers find the characters interesting and likable. They appreciate the author's portrayal of smart, curious women.
"...Even if it deals with a duke, I loved the characters were commoners, with a different upbringing than the usual private schools and balls...." Read more
"The book is well written and the characters are realistic. I enjoyed reading this book. Once I started reading I was unable to put the book down...." Read more
"This was an enjoyable story, and many of the characters were interesting and likable...." Read more
"...What followed surely made up for a slow beginning. My heart just broke 💔 in two and had me crying almost to the end...." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They appreciate the author's storytelling and editing.
"...This is a decent read." Read more
"The book is well written and the characters are realistic. I enjoyed reading this book. Once I started reading I was unable to put the book down...." Read more
"...Their falling in love was satisfying. Also, the book must have been well-edited because I don’t recall a mistake!" Read more
"...A beautifully written story. Can’t wait to read more I. The series." Read more
Customers enjoy the female characters in the story. They find them intriguing and intelligent, with a refreshing portrayal of talented women subjected to society's rules. The book's feminist perspective is also appreciated.
"...the introduction of the future protagonists of the next books, all intriguing ladies. 5 stars." Read more
"...Rebecca is kind and talented. Valentine has much to overcome. Valentine’s sister is likeable, but his mother expects too much too fast...." Read more
"...I did like the feminism regarding all female characters, which was something refreshing to read - we’re all tired of hare-brained women after all." Read more
"A series involving a group of talented, intelligent women is refreshing...." Read more
Customers enjoy the romantic story. They find the characters endearing and touching. The book is described as sweet, candid, and well-written. Readers appreciate the range of emotions, drama, and family elements. The characters are described as kind and caring. Overall, it's a comforting read.
"...Valentine is a kind and caring man, he accepts people around him when they have proved their worth, he is not demanding of more, just to be honest...." Read more
"...Rebecca and Valentine were so endearing. I loved them and his sister, Jemima too...." Read more
"...are so fresh and real they just jump out of the story and live in your heart...." Read more
"...It is very well written with a full range of emotions, drama, and family...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's architecture. They mention the designs on a Duke and that it's good to see.
"...A relationship that can't be turns into everything and a beautiful love that will last forever." Read more
"Loved the architectural descriptions in this book, really made it come alive, along with the struggles of the main characters wanting to be/act who..." Read more
"...A story, I know but good to see." Read more
"...The love story between Valentine and Rebecca was so beautiful. They over came so many obstacles on their road to true love...." Read more
Customers appreciate Rebecca's strength and courage. They find her a true fighter and wish more women were as strong and brave.
"Rebecca fought for her father and for what she believed in. I loved her strength and courage. Wish more women were as strong and brave." Read more
"...I do enjoy reading about strong women willing to follow their passion." Read more
"Strong Women..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2020When a newly titled man with a not pristine past meet a woman harboring secrets which could destroy her family’s legacy ...
Finally I have read an Ellie St. Clair’s story, it is sad to say but with so many authors, I am unable to find the time to read them all.
But, yes, it is done and nothing is better than discovering an author with a new series.
Even if it deals with a duke, I loved the characters were commoners, with a different upbringing than the usual private schools and balls.
Valentine is an wonderful man, overwhelmed by the task but trying to do the best as he can. He also lives with a guilt he can’t shake out of him but in time, he will accept his pain and live with it.
Also, he stands for what he thinks is right and won’t back off.
He needs to know he can trust those around him, why he didn’t really care for names and renown.
Where lies Rebecca’s deceit.
Rebecca is at her wit’s end, her father’s sanity looking like it is deteriorating faster and faster. Why she needs this commission.
Even if her father never really recognize her work, she is now the one providing it for them when his outbursts do not cause them to loose contracts. Why she must protect at all cost her father’s ailment. She never expected to fall for the newly appointed peer, yet he acts so differently from the other titled persons she has met.
Their attraction is one of instant recognition, but there is so much between them only waiting to tear them apart, they will both need faith in the other to see if they can make things work for them.
I loved the dynamic of their relationship, they are both aware of what is at stake and of what is expected from them but they also hope for more than they were willing at the beginning.
Valentine is a kind and caring man, he accepts people around him when they have proved their worth, he is not demanding of more, just to be honest. Rebecca has to be more cunning as for a woman, her line of work is unthinkable for her time, yet she listens and make her customers requests and needs primary to anything else.
Definitely a great first in a series, with the introduction of the future protagonists of the next books, all intriguing ladies.
5 stars.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2020Rebecca, daughter of a famed architect, grew up among the nobility yet understands the circumstances of her birth. As a common woman, she will never be able to pursue her passion and become an architect, at least not under her own name. When her father slowly begins to lose his sensibilities and falls into debt, Rebecca becomes far more than a secretary; she is the designer. No one can ever learn the truth. No one was pleased when Valentine St. Vincent was shockingly named the Duke of Wyndham. He made a career and a name for himself with his fists, but all it lead to was his brother’s death. Determined to become the man his family always wanted by fulfilling his brother’s destiny, Valentine has two identities. Valentine hires Rebecca’s father, and she must complete the work commissioned to them. As she spends more time as Wyndham House and the Duke’s country manor, she finds herself hopelessly falling for a man she can never have. The Duke must marry a woman of the ton, for her dowry and respectability, two things Rebecca can never provide. – Rebecca is kind and talented. Valentine has much to overcome. Valentine’s sister is likeable, but his mother expects too much too fast. This is a decent read.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2024The story weaves around many things of understanding and in and out of secrets of the lives of the people. But love is at the center guiding everything back to what is actually important.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2023Being an avid reader and having read more of St. Clair's books,, I found this didn't hold my attention until I reached the middle of it. After that it became interesting and I was anxious to see how it ended. I hope the second in this series is better.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2023An enjoyable story, a daughter with a secret to save a legacy and a boxer who becomes a Duke in name only. I was quickly taken in by this story and the characters. I really liked both Rebecca and Val. A relationship that can't be turns into everything and a beautiful love that will last forever.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2020The book is well written and the characters are realistic. I enjoyed reading this book. Once I started reading I was unable to put the book down. Ellie St. Clair has a way with words that just draws you into the stories. I was hooked from the first page.
The heroine trying to cover for her father, as famous architect, who is losing his memories. So she designs are the plans and prays no one notices that her father is not always there in the current and not the past.
The hero was/is fighter who inherits a Dukedom. He doesn't believe he good enough to be duke and that he disappointing his family for not being his dead brother, Matthew.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023When two characters have such a strong attraction for each other I expect a happy ever after and in this story I got it!
Rebecca and Valentine were so endearing. I loved them and his sister, Jemima too. His mother I could have done without but she did play an essential part in the story whose lesson is that wealth is not everything in life.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2020This was an enjoyable story, and many of the characters were interesting and likable. Rebecca had a serious dilemma because of her father’s dementia and Val had problems because he didn’t expect to become a duke. Their falling in love was satisfying. Also, the book must have been well-edited because I don’t recall a mistake!
Top reviews from other countries
- Kindle CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful start to the series
This is a wonderfully written start to what promises to be a great series. The plot is full of emotional interludes, and characters that are crafted with great determination, to achieve their goals and happiness. This is a brilliant book for anybody who loves steamy historical romances.
- KatReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Love my Regency books,
If you like reading about this era which I do then you will like this one. Good story, bit predictable but who cares! Loved it
- Candace N.Reviewed in Canada on May 28, 2020
4.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable read!
Designs on a Duke by Ellie St. Clair is a very enjoyable read. I absolutely adored the characters. Valentine is a very intriguing hero and I enjoyed his character very much! The heroine was a wonderful surprise! Rebecca was a very strong character and kind of stole the show! Her and Valentine together... wow! Lots of fireworks! The storyline was fantastic as well, and I loved how and where it all began! The only thing that wasn’t believable in the story for me was the mother. I didn’t understand her. Her holier than though behaviour took from the story a little. Not a lot. I just don’t believe someone who acted like she did would apologize so easily. The writing was very well done and I could easily feel what the characters felt. I would definitely recommend this book and this author! 4.5 stars.
- Jonesing for JocelynReviewed in Australia on July 26, 2020
3.0 out of 5 stars Sucks to be female in that era
I like to read historical romances when I like to take a break from contemporary romances due to too much obscenities.
This book was an ok read and read over multiple sittings.
- lilyladyReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 24, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book
Interesting story