For the Duke’s Eyes Only
The second in the School for Dukes series follows the adventures of Lady India Rochester, sister of the hero in What a Difference a Duke Makes. Since her one consuming interest is archeology, it comes as no surprise her close friends call her Indy. Since she is also impetuous, the story contains a rather large number of plot lines: two mysteries, sinister villains, hair-raising adventures, a romance, and, unsurprisingly, steamy sexual encounters. The Rosetta Stone has been stolen from the British Museum, and Indy sets out to find it, accompanied by the Duke of Ravenwood, who is not only her archeological rival, but dangerously handsome and virile. And her betrothed from childhood. They still love each other, of course, but if so, why did he spurn her some years ago?
There do seem to be rather too many different things going on, and the heroine’s views and conduct are much more appropriate to a modern free-thinking feminist than a Regency lady, but readers looking for a fast-paced tale with plenty of action and tongue-in-cheek literary and cinematic allusions will find much to enjoy. And, of course, adventurous ladies did challenge conventions in the 19th century.
