Every Duke Has His Day
Michael Bromley, the Duke of Woriton, is preoccupied with his scientific experiments, and his blunt comments have earned him a reputation as an antisocial eccentric. Ordinarily, he would never cross paths with Elizabeth Dockering, the daughter of a viscount and a ‘Diamond of the Season.’ He has no interest in the social scene where she shines so brightly. However, she is very fond of her dog Galahad, and he is caring for Lancelot, the dog of his beloved aunt. Since both animals are black poodles that look much alike, they end up with the wrong person after a distracting encounter in the park. This sets off an increasingly unlikely, but highly entertaining, sequence of events which culminates in a happy outcome for all but the villain behind the dastardly plot to kidnap the dogs.
The duke’s inventions are based on those of Michael Faraday and offer insights into scientific progress in the Regency period, but this is primarily a ‘romantic comedy’ as the author herself proclaims, and it is well done. The motif of opposites who attract is skillfully handled, the humor is delicious, the characters delightful, and the complicated plot moves at a brisk pace.
Highly recommended.
