When You Give A Duke A Diamond

By Shana Galen

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Juliette, the Duchess of Dalliance, masquerades as a courtesan along with Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery, and Lily, the Countess of Charm, all named by the prince regent for their alluring qualities. Juliette tires of the protected life. She wants to fall in love forever. The ton is abuzz with the rumor of her affair with Lord Pelham, the “Dangerous Duke,” a prominent MP.

Pelham is about to be betrothed to Lady Elizabeth. Pelham’s cardinal rule: “Never fall in Love. It’s complete rubbish.” Elizabeth is a secret gambling addict, controlled by a con artist named Lucifer, to whom she has promised her diamonds. At a party at Carlton House, Juliette witnesses Lucifer’s murder of Elizabeth, and Juliette avoids Lucifer’s bullet. Yet when she and Pelham investigate, Elizabeth’s body has vanished, but the diamonds appear at the scene.

Galen’s rollicking tale features a compelling love struggle between Juliette and Pelham. Galen’s excellent period detail with lovely scene descriptions carry us away to Regency England, yet her characters are fresh and their dialogue is appealing. A most elegant page-turner.