Duchess on the Run

Her first love was an illusion, yet she is willing to take a chance on a man that she has never seen…

Elizabeth was fortunate that her beau had shown his true colours before they were wed. She had been blinded by her own love for Barnard, but his indecent proposal as he announced that he was leaving to fight in the Air Force, shocked Elizabeth, causing her to reassess his regard for her. The fact that he totally omitted to return any of her daily letters was the icing on the cake. Not to mention that Barney’s bastard child was born to another woman months after his departure. Elizabeth left for America to escape the humiliation. She turned to her Grandparents who were now living in Boston for a fresh start.

Initially, Elizabeth had felt out of place, but a firm friendship with Louise made Elizabeth see her future could be rosy again. A letter from Barney begging her to come back was an incentive for Elizabeth to decide to take action. She answered a newspaper advertisement for mail-order brides and began corresponding with Graham Ballard. Graham was a Nebraska farmer with two children. Strangely, this ready-made family did not deter Elizabeth and she looked forward to his down-to-earth letters. Shortly after her arrival in Boston, Elizabeth became aware that she was being trailed by a young man, but thinking little of it, was always politely distant with him. Eventually she had to tell her grandparents about her stalker.

Elizabeth is alarmed at a dramatic turn of events which force her to make a hasty decision. Very soon, she is on a train headed for Broken Bow, Nebraska, with Louise and Graham’s sister, Grace, by her side, rushing to meet a stranger who may one day become her husband.

His first marriage had been a disaster, so Graham was growing desperate when he considered meeting another mail-order bride. His first wife had been shallow, only wanting trinkets and gowns, never Graham’s love and certainly not their two small children. Yet Graham is sure that Elizabeth is different and looks forward to meeting her, one day. Little does he realise that that meeting may come much sooner than he ever expected, and she may have a considerable amount of personal baggage…

This charming romantic tale tells of a couple who follow the rules; they grow to love and respect each other without rushing into physical entanglement. However their shared passion is tangible right from their “love at first sight” meeting. Christa Fairchild’s description of Elizabeth’s arrival in Broken Bow gave this reader goose bumps as I shared her elation that Graham felt so right. Elizabeth meets problems head on which changes her from a shy English miss to a woman who will stand by her man no matter what. She blossoms through love. Graham tries to do right by Elizabeth but has been hurt badly and remains guarded. He makes some very male blunders which actually endear his character and make him quite believable. Secondary characters are well developed and the flow of the story is smooth. Both Elizabeth and Graham constantly question the fact that their relationship is too good to be true and this doubting is felt by the other partner, causing the tension to increase. Outside forces introduce many surprises and threats to their happiness, and readers are kept on edge, hoping that the pair can make it work. Duchess on the Run is a tale for readers who enjoy their romance with a sweet old-fashioned touch.

Reviewed by: Naomi