Lawson’s review of When the Duke Returns (Desperate Duchesses, Book 4) by Eloisa James
Historical Romance released by Avon 25 Nov 08

This is the fourth installment in James’ Desperate Duchesses series. Lady Isidore, Duchess of Cosway, finally gets her book. Of course, the recurring characters of Jemma and Elijah, Duchess and Duke of Beaumont, and the Duke of Villiers make important appearances in the story. The next two books in the series, according to James’ website, will be Jemma’s story and then Villier’s story in June and July of 2009. But on to Isidore’s story, who was last seen being whisked away from Lord Strange’s house party by her errant husband.

Isidore is shocked that her wandering husband has returned to England, but what shocks her more are two small pieces of information. Her husband is a virgin, just like her, and he wants an annulment. After pining for him for more than ten years, she’s not willing to give up and get an annulment (even if he wants to remarry her right away). Isidore spends some time in London with Jemma, but decides her time is better spent getting to know her husband and, hopefully, getting him into bed.

Simeon, Duke of Cosway, had the itch to travel and it never left. Though he knew of his father’s death and his proxy marriage, he never felt the need to return home. When he comes home to see his wife in Strange’s house party, being far more sexy and alluring that he could have ever imagined. Before he can feel truly married to Isidore, he wants to set his estate to rights. What he finds leads to battles with his rigid mother and later Isidore who confuses him in far too many ways. As Simeon tries to cope with being home and all that entails he finds what his life really means.

Isidore, who has been seen in the other books in the series, is a beautiful, intelligent and capable heroine. She makes decisions quickly and is used to being independent since Simeon left her to her own devices for so many years. Her no nonsense attitude worked well in relation to her friendships, her love for Simeon and her attitude toward sex. Very refreshing for a virgin in a historical romance to enjoy male attention, wait for her husband but not have a wilting flower view of sex itself.

Simeon was far more complex and, honestly, rather whiny. Never feeling like he’d fit in at home, when he took his grand tour, he just stayed away, thinking traveling and learning about new cultures was his responsibility, rather than going home to see to his legacy and the dukedom. Though he sent goods home and made a new fortune in trade, when he comes home to see his mother has maintained the estate as his father had, afraid everyone was out to cheat the dukedom and not paying bills.

Simeon’s reasons for wanting to annul the marriage to Isidore, his unwillingness to sleep with her, and his deliberate slowness in thinking things through and not acting to get things put to rights made him a rather weak hero. James’ heroes are strong, independent men, but Simeon is afraid of strong emotion, loss of personal control, and unable to handle what life throws at him. That’s what makes Isidore perfect for him, as she does act on impulse or without much thought, but she has sound business sense and logic when it comes to dealing with people.

What made the book stand out was the continued story of Jemma and Elijah, though there were some tearjerking moments in that story. Since Jemma’s story is next I’m curious and a little scared to see what it turns out to be, based on events in this book. I can’t wait for Villiers’ book, he’s come a long way from Desperate Duchesses, and his continued trials and tribulations have made me adore him and impatient to see what type of woman could stand up to him.

Grade: B

  The Duchess of Cosway yearns for a man she has never met . . . her husband.

Married by proxy as a child, Lady Isidore has spent years fending off lecherous men in every European court while waiting to meet her husband. She’s determined to accept him, no matter how unattractive the duke turns out to be. When she finally lures Simeon Jermyn back to London, his dark handsomeness puts Isidore’s worst fears to rest—until disaster strikes.

The duke demands an annulment.

Forsaking his adventuresome past, Simeon has returned to London ready to embrace the life of a proper duke, only to find that his supposed wife is too ravishing, too headstrong, and too sensual to be the docile duchess he has in mind. But Isidore will not give up her claim to the title—or him—without a fight.

She will do whatever it takes to capture Simeon’s heart, even if it means sacrificing her virtue. After all, a consummated marriage cannot be annulled. Yet in forcing Simeon into a delicious surrender, will Isidore risk not only her dignity—but her heart?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: