I enjoyed Emmaline and Lionel's book. It was an entertaining read that pulled me right into the book. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

Book six in The Untouchables series a well written story with a very good storyline the story flowed smoothly across the pages. Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge killed a man in a duel and is now called the Duke of Danger. Widowed and destitute, Lady Emmaline Townsend needs a favour and as it was her husband that was killed she asks Lionel to marry her. I enjoyed seeing this story come together, and would recommend.

A thrillingly romantic story with lots of feuding and lots of sizzle! The Duke of Danger sounds like a dreamy martyr with a ton of life still inside even after his wicked deeds. I recommend.

Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge punished himself with guilt to the point of sinking into bouts of depression and remorse. What does he have to be built about? Could be the three duels he fought because of his overwhelming sense of honor? Although he did not intend to kill any of his opponents, not the less, two died and one had a lasting disability. Enter Lady Emmaline Townsend, who carries guilt of her own. Guilty for eloping with Geoffrey Townsend, Lionel`s last "victim" and for feeling Lionel did her a favor. Lionel as part of his penance, pays all of Geoffrey`s creditors, promises to do anything she needs. A little time passes and she demands he marry her to save her from a less than desirable marriage her parents arranged. Can they live together, yet apart? Will she be able to stop despising him to see the person inside? This is the sixth book one the Untouchable series. We get to visit and catch with friends from the previous books. Always a plus when I am enjoying a series. Each book can be read separately, but are better if read as intended as a series. I have the next book in the series loaded on my paperwhite, looking forward to reading it as well.

After killing his opponent in a duel, Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, is known as the Duke of Danger. Tortured by guilt, he shields himself with a devil-may-care attitude. However, when he kills another man in another duel, he’s beyond redemption, even though it wasn’t his fault. He refuses to smear a dead man’s name, especially when he’s left behind a blameless widow who doesn’t deserve an even bigger scandal. Widowed and destitute, Lady Emmaline Townsend must marry the man of her parents’ choosing or beg unsympathetic relatives for support. The only way out is to ask for help from the one man she’s sworn to hate, the man who owes her anything she asks, the man who killed her husband. They strike a devil’s bargain in which passion simmers just beneath the surface. But her dead husband’s transgressions come back to haunt them and threaten their chance at love.
I’ve read a number of books form this author and I’ve enjoyed them all. This one didn’t disappoint. Both characters have been through a lot in their lives and it’s not until they are together under a shaky deal that they can start to heal and bond. I really loved this story and can’t wait for more from this author.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

This was a nice easy read. I loved Lionel and emmaline. I would have liked it to be longer.

One day Lionel's honor is going to cost him his life. Known as the Duke of Danger he is known for fighting duels and winning. Often with deadly consequences to his opponents. One such opponent was Viscount Townsend. After being shot in the leg he was expected to recover, the next thing Lionel hears is that he succumbed to his wound. After visiting Lady Townsend to offer his apologies and any assistance ever needed, he leaves England for Ireland. He is surprised to say the least when he is summoned back by her.

Emmaline has summoned back Axbridge with the express purpose of giving him the cut direct. He ruined her life, granted it was not the grand life she wanted...but it was still hers. Shortly before her big moment, she is informed by her parents that she will be remarrying Sir Duncan Thayer. A man well older than her and to say the lest unpalatable. At the last second when entering the ballroom to meet Axbridge she changes her mind. He stole her life, now she will steal his.

Lionel cannot believe what Lady Townsend has asked of him. Marriage? And one in name only. It will mean there is no heir for his line. But how can he refuse her after all his has cost her?

As the two embark on a marriage, Lionel finds himself drawn to his wife. However Emmaline will not give him a chance. Can he find a way to get past her defenses, without telling her what a scoundrel her first husband was?

Great read. Cannot get enough of the Untouchables.

I voluntarily reviewed an Reader Copy of this book which I received through Netgalley
I really liked this book. It is really well written.

I really loved Lionel and Emmaline's story!!

Lionel doesn't believe that he deserves a HEA because he has killed two men. He tells the wife of the latest that he will do anything to help her if needed.

Emmaline doesn't want to marry the man her parents have in mind for her, so she takes Lionel up on his offer and demands that he marry her. It will, of course, not be a real marriage.

I loved watching Lionel and Emmaline working through each of their own issues and finally finding their HEA!!

Another beautifully written story in the Untouchables series by this author. I really liked the hero, Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge and adored that his character is so honorable beyond the dash and panache that’s part of his character. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will recommend it to anyone who is looking for a book with a strong and honorable hero.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

Loved the romance and mystery of this book. Great characters and and interesting story line kept me interested.

A love story to warm your heart...
This book six of The Untouchable series goes beyond my expectation of a romance novel. It combines a tortured past with a man that has too much honor. I know that sounds harsh but because Lionel feels honor is the most important thing he misses out on life, in my opinion.

His character works though as a good counterbalance to Emmaline. This lady could of come off as a ditzy woman but in all I really liked her. She made some decisions when she was younger that were not wise but she uses this to create a toughness in herself that doesn't allow her family or Lionel to take further advantage of her. The most important thing about her is her ability to rethink a situation and make changes as needed. This is a lesson all people should learn.

I give this 4 STARS for the love that came through in the end between all the main characters in this book.

When , Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, kills Lady Emmeline Townsend's husband, he would never have imagined that a year later he would be married to her. Being forced to marry someone she would rather not, Emmeline calls her marker with the Duke of Danger. If only she could stay hating him for what he's done, and if only she wasn't so attracted to him.

There was so much to like in this novel: Lionel, the story line, the supporting characters, Burke's incredible way of writing- but I found myself really frustrated by Emmeline. She was really nasty for most of the novel. And I understand why, I just didn't enjoy that. That's really the only thing that is keeping me from giving this novel full marks. I'd still recommend it to others, because if that isn't something that would irritate you, this novel is a fantastic read!

The Duke of Danger.
This was how Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge was known after having participated in 3 duels, in which in 2 of them his opponents died.
And in the last duel, although Lionel did not want to participate, his opponent, Viscount Geoffrey Towsend was an irascible man.

When Lionel put himself at the disposal of the widow, consumed with the guilt of having killed another man, he did not expect her to really make him deliver on the promise.

When a year later, Lionel, in Ireland, receives a letter from Lady Emmaline Townsend, he returns to England, and meeting her in a ball, Lionel finds himself having to accept a marriage proposal.

Emmaline had eloped years ago with Geoffrey and paid dearly for it.
She no longer loved her husband, but he was her only financial source, and with his death she discovered that he was full of debt.
Her parents wanted her to marry again now that she was about to be released from complete mourning. The problem was that their chosen one was a man many years older than her.
Meeting Lionel at the ball - even if she hated him for what he had done to Geoffrey - he was more handsome (and had a higher title) than Sir Duncan Thayer.

Lionel and Emmaline married, but she imposed a series of rules.
He accepted them, but as the days go by, Lionel realized that he was fascinated by his wife. The woman who hates him.

Meanwhile, a series of gossip begins to appear in society, and some of them are too dangerous to be ignored by the couple.

Lionel and Emmaline need to find out who is spreading the lies and who wants to profit from their misfortune. And from there, they could have a chance at a real wedding...

Book 6 of the series, which can be read as stand alone, no cliffhanger.
Amazing plot, with mystery, and good connection with the main couple.

5 stars

I was a bit hesitant, at first, about the plot point of our protagonist falling for the man who killed her husband, but ended up enjoying the book and the authors storytelling.

What shall I say more than typical Darcy? I mean who doesnt love her books?
I loved the two leads because they are so different from what normal Regency leads are - they really hate each other because of a duell. Many emotions. Steamy dialogues. Great work!

Well now, that's an unlikely couple! I loved every single minute of this installment. Lionel and Emmaline couldn't make less sense or be more perfect for each other. Darcy Burke is always able to evoke deep emotion and get you completely on board with whatever tale she is trying to tell. I have seen this trope done before, and poorly. It takes a master storyteller to pull this one of and Burke nailed it.

Unusual tale of the duke of danger. He has never wanted to be a dueler but life keeps forcing him int duels and now he is forced into marriage with the widow of his last victim.

This is the third book in this series that I have read. They are all nice, easy reads with some fairly interesting characters. I would say that this one is a bit darker than those I have read so far. As the result of a duel, Lionel has killed Emmaline's husband. He is overwhelmed with guilt and says he will do anything to help Emmaline. Emmaline's parents are now going to force her to marry a much older and lecherous man. So she has Lionel marry her instead and has him agree to a marriage in name only. Well I'm sure you can tell how that turns out. It's a rocky road, with an extortion plot in there making things harder. I would give this a 3.5 stars. It was a nice way to pass a couple of evenings.

I’ve been enjoying Darcy Burke’s The Untouchables series, although I’ll admit I was rather disappointed in the last instalment, The Duke of Defiance and wasn’t sure I was going to read further. But I decided to put that one down as an aberration and I’m glad I picked up The Duke of Danger, which is a much more strongly-written and well-conceived story than the previous one. The eponymous duke isn’t actually a duke, but the ducal nicknames were invented – tougue-in-cheek – to show that the gentlemen in question were of the highest echelons of society and far above the touch of the young ladies who coined them – as well as to be alliterative ;). The Duke of Danger shows a different side to the dashing hero who has fought many duels and escaped with nary a scratch; Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, is a man of great integrity and honour who has acquired his moniker because of his involvement in a couple of duels in which he either killed or badly wounded his opponent, but who in in no way sees these events as badges of honour. Instead, he is haunted by the fact he has taken life in cold blood and hates himself for it.

It’s with a heavy heart, and as a last resort, that Lionel calls out Viscount Townsend for threatening to besmirch the honour of a lady who is one of Lionel’s oldest and dearest friends. He gave Townsend every chance to recant, but the man refused, leaving Lionel with one alternative – he will shoot wide in order to merely graze his opponent and take whatever comes his way. But when Townsend turns and fires before the end of the count, Lionel reacts instinctively and out of self-preservation – and shoots the man in the leg instead. It’s believed the wound is not a fatal one – but days later Townsend dies and impulsively, Lionel pays a visit to his widow, telling her she can call on him if there is ever anything she needs. After that, as he has done before, Lionel leaves England to escape the gossip and in an attempt to dull the agony of regret.

Townsend’s death has left his young widow, Lady Emmaline, with nothing but debts. She is furious with Axbridge, furious with Townsend for leaving her in this position, and furious with her parents who are set on forcing her to remarry a man who is distasteful to her. She fell madly in love with Townsend and consented to elope with him in spite of her parents’ misgivings; misgivings which were borne out when her husband started to spend more and more time away from home, stopped coming to her bed and began to incur large gambling debts. She can’t help feeling a sense of relief that she has been released from a marriage which was clearly heading for disaster, but then feels guilty for it, and angry at herself. Emmaline has quickly transitioned from the happy, optimistic debutante who ran away with the man she loved and has become jaded, cynical and hardened. When she hears Axbridge has returned to England she hatches a plan to humiliate him in front of a large gathering of the ton, but has to change tack when her father tells her he has bestowed her hand in marriage to the lecherous Sir Duncan Thayer. She reminds Axbridge of his offer to do anything he can to help her and tells him that he can do something – he can marry her. She makes it clear that the marriage will be in name only and that he must accept that she will never forgive him. She will live in his house until he can purchase a house for her and while she is there she expects to have as little to do with him as possible. She will not take meals with him, she will not accompany him into society, she will certainly not provide him with an heir. In exchange he will settle her remaining debts and will provide for her for the rest of her life.

It’s a terrible deal, but Lionel feels it’s his just desserts given the pain he has caused her, and they are married by special license the very next day.

I do love the marriage-of-convenience trope, and I don’t think I’ve read a romance before in which the heroine marries the man who killed her husband, so kudos to Ms. Burke for coming up with an unusual premise, and for creating a couple of interesting and engaging characters. Emmaline is certainly not easy to like at first, determined as she is to make Lionel’s life a misery. Eventually, however, she begins to admit that her first marriage had been failing and that she had not been happy for some time. Lionel is by far the easier of the two to sympathise with, even though he occupies some rather shaky moral ground because he has killed two men and believes himself ultimately responsible for the death of a third. He duelled for sound, honourable reasons; once to avenge his father’s death, once to protect a child and once to protect a friend – but even so, he is filled with self-hatred and believes he no longer deserves the sort of happiness he has always longed for and had experienced as the child of two loving parents who cared for him and each other very deeply.

Emmaline eventually realises that in attempting to punish Lionel by dooming him to loneliness, she is punishing herself as well, so she starts to relent just a little. She takes a few meals with him, engages him in conversation… and begins to realise that she has badly misjudged him. But even then, things are not at all easy and it seems that for every step forward the two make in their relationship, they take two back. The sparks fly between them right from the start, and the author creates and builds the sexual tension between them extremely well; but even once they have broken Emmaline’s no-sex rule, the road ahead of them is still strewn with potential pitfalls.

One thing they have strongly in their favour is that they actually communicate with each other honestly, which is very refreshing in a genre prone to secrets and misunderstandings. There are a couple of times in the story when I suspect a less experienced author may have chosen to have one or other character keep a secret in order to create unnecessary drama; Ms. Burke wisely doesn’t take that option, and I very much appreciated it.

The Duke of Danger is angsty, but not overwhelmingly so, and the HEA is certainly very hard-won, and well-deserved. The secondary plotline involving the search for a blackmailer is deftly dovetailed into the romance, and serves to flesh out the backstory involving Townsend and the reasons for the duel as well as to provide some drama towards the end. There are a couple of details that had me scratching my head (I thought that when challenged to a duel, the challengee got to choose the weapons, time and place, not the challenger), but overall, this is an enjoyable, emotionally satisfying read with an unusual premise, and most definitely earns a recommendation.