Devil in Duke’s Clothing
Maggie York, an innocent and very naive convent-raised girl by chance watches Robert Armstrong, the Duke of Dunwoody’s sexual encounter with a servant, and while shocked, her curiosity is aroused (in both senses of the word). She eventually becomes his wife and then her explicit education in the bedroom begins. King Charles II, however, wanted the Duke to marry someone else and in consequence Robert’s loyalty to the King – and his wife – is tested to the limit.
Apart from that, there is not much of a plot for the historical fiction lover – but there are plenty of steamy scenes, a lot of heavy breathing and heaving bosoms (and other parts), all well written (if you like steamy sex scenes) mixed in with quite a bit of groaning, grappling and thrusting. All of which make a lavish, hot romp in various bedrooms and occasionally elsewhere.
I was not convinced by accuracy, either for the time, place, characters or plot, nor for the language, which seemed somewhat contrived – words such as ‘gander’ (as in look). Much of the sexually explicit language felt too modern for the period (Fellatio, for instance is a nineteenth century word) which could have been overlooked if these were in narrative text, but as part of the extensive dialogue? Perhaps there was no believability for the characters or their actions (sexual and non-sexual!) because there were just too much vivid description? But then, that is the nature of erotic fiction.
I assume that readers who enjoy the fun of this genre are not particularly interested in the accurate details of history, nor in in-depth character development or intriguing plots – so if you want all that, this is not the book for you. But if you want to grin your way through a very sexy romp you will devour it!
