The Charmer by Madeline Hunter: Book Summary

Madeline Hunter sets an exciting tale in 19^th century Europe. After 8 years of running away to France, Sophia Raughley uses her spends non-stop and gathers penny-less artists to amuse her in her mansion. Unfortunately her father, Duke of Everdon died a short time ago and she is suppose to be the next Duchess of Everdon. But she does not want even want to step foot in England if she can help it.

Adrian Burchard, third son of Earl of Dincaster, is sent with an official order from the King of England for her immediate return. Sophia flat out refuses and tries to send Adrian away. Adrian prepares everything she needs to travel. Sophia however remains stubborn. Adrian gets fed up and literally carries her to the carriage and drags her back to England despite her numerous attempts to run away.

Now forced to take on as Duchess of Everdon, remnants of her past in England start to haunt. Just over 8 years ago her twin brother died in attempt to save her life. Even worst her horrible half cousin Gerald Stiphoph, who she was to married before she ran away, is trying to convince the king and her that he is the only man suitable to marry her and control Everdon.

Adrian, now feeling bad for forcing her into that positions decides to help her around as she begins persuading her people how to vote that coming election. Really his true motive is to influence her to side with the Tories in the House of Lord and have her people vote more Tories into parliament. Realizing that Sophia never came around to dealing with her brother's death, Adrian tries unsuccessfully to sooth her pain.

To add on to Sophia's misery, an old acquaintance of hers has started to work against her. In her youth, Sophia was engaged in a romantic relationship with a criminal whom called himself Captain Burtus who believed that England had a faulty system. Her father catches Captain Burtus by using Sophia as a trap without her knowledge. Captain Burtus was imprison in Australia for years. Sophia believes that Captain Burtus is leading a brutal campaign against her as revenge. Every time a problem of a dangerous sort happens like a riot in Staverly, one of the towns of her inheritance, he leaves a paper with his name behind.

In the meantime, Sophia decides to work hard to run Everdon. Gerald keeps pressuring her with guilt to marry him. However her hearts began to soften towards Adrian who later saves her from a fire in her mansion started by Captain Burtus. Adrian also discovers that the will of the former Duke of Everdon is a fake for the Duke began to have second thoughts on a marriage between Sophia and Gerald. Adrian also realizes that it wasn't Sophia's fault for the death of her brother, Gerald had killed him. Gerald also had killed the former Duke of Everdon. In attempt to shut Adrian up, Gerald challenges Adrian to a duel. Adrian gladly accepts and kills Gerald to avenge for Sophia. Though he doesn't explain the whole situation to Sophia the two completely fall for each other and he proposes to her.