The Mésalliance

Rockliffe, Book 2

By: Stella Riley

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

The Duke of Rockliffe is 36 years old, head of his house, and responsible for his young sister, Nell. He is, therefore, under some pressure to choose a suitable bride. Whilst accompanying Nell to what he speedily comes to regard as the house-party from hell, he meets Adeline Kendrick - acid-tongued, no more than passably good-looking yet somehow alluring. Worse still, her relatives are quite deplorable - from a spoiled, ill-natured cousin to a sadistic, manipulative uncle. As a prospective bride, therefore, Adeline is out of the question. Until, that is, a bizarre turn of events cause the Duke to throw caution to the wind and make what his world will call a mésalliance.

©2016 Stella Riley (P)2016 Stella Riley

Very elegant and intoxicating listen

I loved this. It is the second Stella Riley novel I have listened to and aside from Alex Wyndham breathing a life into characters that only he can do, the story itaelf was rich and mature, the plot well set. xx

Simply Wonderful

Stella Riley's clever, romantic, and honorable characters come vividly alive through the sublime narration of Alex Wyndham. His voice is like liquid velvet. The characters' personalities are defined by intelligent dialogue and the various voices Wyndham employs. Listening is a pleasure.
This book as well as the first in the Rockliffe series are among the best I have listened to in my many years of enjoying audio books. I can't wait to begin book three! Great storytelling!!

Almost perfect! Listen to it!

Narrator makes this a story not to be missed. Great hero and heroine, Truly awful family villains both male and female, but the friends more than make up for them, everyone should have such friends.
Rags to riches love story! And of course many misunderstandings Oh Well off you go on an adventure with lots of humor

Stella Riley Rocks!

The second book in the Rockliffe Series features Tracy Wynstanton, Duke of Rockliffe aka Rock. I enjoyed this book very much. I have always preferred The Regency Period and never really read any books that took place in The Georgian Period. I find I like this time period for the same reasons that Stella does. The men are sexier and masculine in their wardrobes and Stella's descriptions are like the cream on top of the ambrosia.

Rock is a Duke whose gravitas makes him a figure to be admired by men and women alike. He has a wicked wit with a mischievousness that his friends encourage. He is a perfect Gentleman who will protect his family with his life. He is handsome and charming on the outside with a heart of gold hidden beneath his lace and brocade. A side that he shows only to his family and closest friends. He has never had a serious romantic relationship with any proper lady. He realizes that now at the age of

36 he must start looking for his Duchess. His requirements for a wife are simple, be well bred with the grace to be his partner in promoting and protecting his Dukedom and advancing the causes that are important to both of them. She must be willing to chaperone his younger sister through Society and most of all, SHE MUST NOT BORE HIM. The last requirement is going to be difficult. He has no interest in empty-headed chits.

He younger sister Nell is so excited that her brother is chaperoning her to the house party of her friend Diana. Rock is not impressed with Diana and most of the guests at the party. Two weeks of hell!! The lady of the house was a simpering sycophant that Rock planned on avoiding at all costs. Matchmaking mothers are to be avoided at all costs. When he is introduced to the lady's companion he is intrigued. He knows her, he encountered her numerous times while out riding in the country. She was young, vivacious, and full of life. Time has not been kind to her. He is surprised in the change in her, now a poor relation with a spiteful tongue. He is intrigued and is determined to bring her out of the shadows and find out what happened to her.

Adeline wants nothing to do with anyone at the party and especially Rock. She is not the same young girl she was years ago. Life has not been kind to her, an orphan who now exists on the perimeters of dead mothers family. Her Aunt and Cousin have drained any desire for life with their constant cruelties, insults and forced servitude. She has learned the best way to survive is to be invisible. Now Rockliffe remembers her and is making her life difficult.

When Adeline's aunt informs the guests that the party will have an odd number of ladies due to one of the guests declining due to illness. Rock immediately suggests that Adeline could even up the numbers and insists that she be able to join the party. Adeline is furious with Rock for bringing her out of the background. Her Aunt and Cousin Diana are going to make her sorry. Diana is a spoiled, selfish, spiteful brat that knows the world revolves around her and is livid at Adeline. Rock knows exactly what kind of young lady is and wants nothing to do with her. Diana is furious that Rock is paying more attention to his mouse of a cousin then her. She decides it is time for Rock to make her his Duchess and sets up a trap for him that will result in her being compromised and he will have to marry her. Only Adeline finds out about it and rescues Rock. Diana is beyond angry and attacks Adeline after Rock has left the room. When Rock comes back to check in on her, he is furious at her condition and tries to help her repair her gown. Impulsively he drops a brief kiss on her lips and of course, that's when they are discovered.

Rock is surprised how much he wants her and he really does want to marry her. Adeline is confused, and afraid but agrees to the marriage. Rock has never felt this way about a young lady before and is finding himself looking forward to all that this marriage will bring to both of them. He knows that Adeline needs time to adjust to her new life and he agrees to delay the consummation until they know each other better. Adeline is overwhelmed by his generosity, kindness, and respect. She begins to believe that she could love him and be very happy.

When Adeline's evil Uncle reveals something horrible about her mother she is shocked and pays him the money he demands to keep him from telling Rock. It will destroy her and her marriage and she will do anything to protect Rock. Things go progressively downhill from there. Rock doesn't understand why she is pulling away from him and she won't talk to him. He has such high hopes for this marriage and he suspects that Adeline is being threatened but she won't tell him. They grow farther and farther apart and comes to a climax in a way that could be the end of any chance of a happy ending.

Stella writes a stunningly beautiful story full of heartbreaking sorrow, and a love that will make you laugh and weep. I loved the last few chapters when Rock opened himself up and let the world know how much he loved Adeline and will ruin anyone who hurt her. You see a side of him that he has kept hidden away, how deeply he can love and how he will do anything to keep Adeline and make her happy. I am actually tearing up thinking about the way Stella let Rock reveal his love for Adeline. I highly recommend this book and I cannot wait for the next one. Of course, listening to Alex Wyndham brings the book to life in a way only he can do.

LOVED IT

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I hesitated taking the second book as I didn't think it would be as good as the first but boy was I wrong. I loved Book 1 and this was just as good if not better.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the characters were good. Dry, witty, humorous.

What about Alex Wyndham’s performance did you like?

He is the best.

Any additional comments?

When I arrived home last night I realized that I had had a smile on my face for the whole hour and twenty minutes. I loved it. Can't wait till the next one.

Ouch!

By the end, I had a headache from rolling my eyes. I've never read a book with so many misunderstandings between the main characters. Just silly. But the narrator was great, as he always is.

Perfect for Georgette Heyer fans!

If you are a Georgette Heyer fan, you should listen to this audiobook. It is probably the best book I've ever listened to from the Georgian time period. I was reluctant to listen to it because I kept tripping over the title, which translates to "a marriage with a person of inferior social position." However, in this story, the match is perfect! You have a pompous duke brought to his knees by a down-to-earth bluestocking. More heroines should be like Adeline. And the narrator, Alex Wyndham, was pure perfection. Bravo!

Very very annoying leading lady.

It's a testament to Stella Riley's talent at great character development that the female lead character was aggravating and annoying. I was ready to scream at times. But...the story is excellent as are the supporting characters. And of course, Alex Wyndham did an outstanding job.

Intriguing and beautiful Love Story & incomparable narration

LOVE Rock and Adeline and, in spite of having to wait for them to finally give in fully and reveal their true feelings, it was an amazing and intriguing and beautiful love story. Loved their story. Loved updates on characters from book one if this series. And I definitely intend to proceed now to book three.

Oh, and having listened to parts of this on audible, I must say that, once again, I think Alex Windham is incomparable!!!

Witty funny interesting Duke and Duchesss

this book is written is
well. love the characters, Rockliffe is funny and clever and also sensitive, quite a man of restrain(is it real? how can he?) .
As much as he is a beautiful specimen of male, he also is vulnerable! Bravo! does a great job on turning Adeline into his Duchess, though she obviously has the character for it. The narration is SUPERB. Love to listen to that voice of Alex Wyndham,! Want more!!!