My Fair Duchess: A Dukes Behaving Badly Novel
Unusually for a woman, Genevieve has inherited the Blakesley duchy. Unfortunately, her father neglected to train her for the responsibility, leaving her to be reared by servants on a remote estate. Desperately, she appeals to her godmother, who sends her steward to help out. Though a younger son of a viscount, Archie Salisbury was disowned when he joined the army. Retiring as a captain, he must now make his way in the world.
He is strikingly handsome as well as protective; she is pretty as well as inexperienced and painfully shy; more importantly, both are determined to fulfil their duty to aid those whose livelihood depends upon them: ex-soldiers, servants, and estate workers. Unsurprisingly, they fall in love, but though well-suited, the barrier between their stations in life looms high in Victorian society.
The story focuses tightly upon the two protagonists as they struggle to adhere to conventions of the era, even as their relationship deepens from physical attraction to love. Both are very likeable people, and their self-deprecating humor and the device of writing letters to each other (not always sent) are entertaining. Strongly recommended to those looking for a charming romance.
