Marg’s guest review of The Lost Duke of Wyndham (Two Dukes of Wyndham, Book 1) by Julia Quinn
Historical Romance published by Avon 27 May 08

Big sigh…. I just finished reading this book in a day. If I hadn’t had to go to work it would have been quicker, but apparently I don’t get paid to sit around and read.

I have again been reminded of how good Julia Quinn’s historical romances can be. One of the best things about reading one of this author’s better books is she has the ability to write a heartwarming, emotional story without any of the added fripperies so common in historical romances. You know the ones I’m sure. The mad cousin/uncle/stalker who has determined the beautiful young virgin must be theirs. The young virgin who yearns for a life of passion and adventure and will do anything to get it (secret spies anyone?) or the BIG misunderstanding. Those fripperies.

Don’t be mistaken by that statement though. There is plenty of drama throughout this book, mostly in terms of the question of who is the true duke, and what will the implications of that truth be. Along the way we find out what brought Jack to his current life of crime, and for at least one of the characters there is an emotional journey home, to deal with the events of the past. There was a big twist in the tail of this book which was emotionally touching, but did feel a little contrived in some ways.

When the Dowager Duchess of Wyndham and her companion, Grace Eversleigh, are held up by a masked highwayman whilst on the way home from the assembly, there is no way for the three of them to know their lives are about to change in an instant.

For the highwayman, Captain Jack Audley, his life of crime is about to come to an abrupt end, especially if the old lady’s claims are true and he should be the Duke of Wyndham. Jack doesn’t want the title for a number of reasons – one thing he does want however is Grace but if he is the Duke then she knows that he is far above her in the social strata and there can be no future for them.

Grace has been the companion to the extremely crotchety old Dowager for the past five years, having been left a penniless orphan. She is at the beck and call of the Dowager day and night, but she does know that without the position that she has been given in the Wyndham household, her life would have been a lot more unhappy.

As Jack and Grace come together, we are treated to a charming and sweet love story. Not cloyingly sweet, but the right balance of physical attraction, learning to know each other, lots of humour and lots of discreet glances and tender moments. I loved that Jack knew what he wanted, and was prepared to claim it, regardless of what society would think. Beneath his handsome visage, and underneath his flippant tones, there was a column of strength that shone through.

And what of the current Duke? As a man who has been raised to be a Duke, Thomas has a lot to lose. His reactions on being told of the possible loss of the title are not gracious, but then again, it would be unrealistic if they were. Thomas’s story is due out in October, and apparently is told concurrently with the events in this book. I must confess that I do find it a little strange that if the events are told concurrently that the books are not being released a bit closer together.

When reading this book it is impossible to forget that you are reading a Quinn book. All the trademarks are there in the witty dialogue, entertaining characterisations of two relatively normal people and a romantic love story.

Now I will just have to go back to those books I discarded so I could read this as soon as I got it.

Grade B+
You can read Devon’s review here and Lawson’s here. Our first Fly it Forward winner Elyssa Papa’s review is here.

From the back cover:

Will the Real Duke of Wyndham Please Stand Up?

Jack Audley has been a highwayman. A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.

Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine… until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she’s not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have…

Read an excerpt here.