A Scot to the Heart by Caroline Linden is the second book in the Desperately Seeking Duke series. The series 
is original and based on who might inherit the Carlyle dukedom. The Duchess of Carlyle had lost another son and all hope for her children providing the dukedom with an heir. She was not impressed with the potential heirs to the title. Neither was respectable or up to the task of taking care of the Carlyle heritage to her standards. Therefore, she takes on the task of turning them into respectable and responsible men.
Ilsa Ramsay was a widow who was tired of living by the rules of society. She was independent financially and had no wish to be saddled with another man who would control her. She was happy having her friend Agnes St. James staying with her while her brother was in town. She pictured him being stuffy and restrained so never expected him to be the man she met at the oyster cellar and kissed one night. Discovering the mysterious man was Agnes’ brother was troubling, but more so when she learned he was the heir to a dukedom. Ilsa knew she didn’t have a chance with him however she could not stop thinking of him.
Captain Andrew “Drew” St. James hated army life, but he joined to help provide for his family when his father died. He was stunned when he received a letter from the Carlyle’s lawyer summoning him to Carlyle Castle. He was hoping for a small inheritance only to learn he was the heir to the Duke of Carlyle. The duchess wanted the future duke to be respectable and able to handle the position and she is prepared to help him by giving him funds and finding him a wife.
Drew planned on returning to London with his family and did not expect them to resist his plans. He was enchanted by Ilsa but knew she would not meet the duchess’s high standards. When her father is accused of thievery, he must decide between meeting the duchess’s demand and his love for Ilsa. The storyline was interesting and the book was easy to read. The main characters were charming and I was cheering them on the entire time. The ending leads us into the next book which I look forward to.
Book Info:
Publication: June 29, 2021 | Avon | Desperately Seeking Duke #2
An Officer and a Scotsman
Captain Andrew St. James always knew he came from a noble family, but his branch grew far from the wealth and status. Nothing shocks him more than learning that he now stands as heir presumptive to his distant cousin the Duke of Carlyle. There is much for Drew to learn and adjust to—but first he goes home to Edinburgh, to tell his mother and three sisters of their startling good fortune.
A Lady and a Temptress
Ilsa Ramsay yearns for some adventure and fun, not another husband. When she discovers the handsome soldier who sweeps her off her feet for a rollicking dance is her friend’s brother, soon to be an English duke, she tells herself he’s not for her, no matter how tempting he is. But one impulsive kiss, then another, and another… says otherwise.
An Irresistible Attraction
Drew means to marry a respectable, dignified Englishwoman—a very proper future duchess. The spirited Ilsa is none of that. Still, when she’s caught in a dangerous scandal, he leaps to her aid without hesitation. And neither family duty nor future obligation can make them ignore what’s in both their hearts.
