Duchess by Night [Mass Market Paperback]

This book is dedicated to Georgette Heyer and it becomes apparently fairly quickly why; those who have read Heyer's 'The Masqueraders' will be familiar with the central theme of this book, that of a woman disguised as a man and finding herself befriending a man who eventually sees through her disguise. In this story the disguised woman is the Duchess of Berrow, a widow of 27 whose life has become rather boring and staid. When her friend Isidora wants to create a mini scandal she decides to attend a house party at the home of Lord Justinian Strange, and asks Harriet, Duchess of Berrow, to go with her. They are also accompanied by the Duke of Villiers, a man that Harriet has previously hated but who begins to be revealed as someone rather more likeable than she thought.

Of course Harriet can't attend the house party as herself as her reputation will be ruined. Isidora and the Duke of Villiers together help her to dress as a young man and she is introduced as Mr Cope, a relation of Villiers'. As Harriet settles into her new role she begins to find the freedom that men have - not only in terms of less restrictive clothing and the ability to say what they mean without excessive politeness, but also in discovering enjoyment in galloping horses, learning to fence and more. But can she keep her identity secret, can her growing friendship with Lord Strange survive her eventual unmasking?

What was particularly good about this book was the focus on Harriet and Strange and the gradual way in which they get to know each other. Most of the book is narrated from Harriet's point of view but we get occasional insights into Jem's thoughts, which are rather perturbed at his apparent attraction to another man. We learn more about both characters and how events in their past have shaped the way in which they live their lives today. What I also appreciated was that this was a romance which actually ran fairly smoothly without lots of awkward misunderstandings to irritate the reader, although the story did have a slight blip to this effect at the end.

The author has an excellent writing style with fast pacing but also some depth to the characterisation. The dialogue occasionally let the author down as people spoke in modern American rather than Georgian English but overall it was a very enjoyable story and one that is apparently part of a series about Duchesses. On the strength of this story I will be eagerly looking out for the next one.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

The third book in the 'Desperate Duchesses' series differs from the first two. In those a large ensemble cast surrounded the main romance, enriching the Georgian world that James has created. 'Duchess by Night; however, focuses more tightly on Harriet, widowed Duchess of Berrow, and the scandalous Lord Strange.

Having said that, this tale of gender-swapping, scandal-brewing, game-playing fun is my favourite of the series so far. The brief glimpses of Harriet in the previous books did nothing to endear her to me, but here she is a pleasant surprise.

A quiet country widow who's tired of being pitied and blamed for her husband's suicide, Harriet is all too happy to assist her friend, Isidore - not-quite Duchess of Cosway - in creating a scandal to fetch her errant Duke home. But how can a virtuous duchess' reputation survive a visit to the licentious estate of Lord Strange?

With the help of the Duke of Villiers (becoming more and more likeable by the book), a new wardrobe and some creative tailoring Harry Cope is born, and Lord Strange is left battling a bewildering attraction to one of the prettiest men he's ever met.

Filled with James' glorious wit and keen eye for detail, Harriet and Jem's story is a delight, from the ridiculous - parrying Kitty's amorous advances, learning to ride astride, trying to assess her bottom in comparison to Strange's - to the delightful - anything with Eugenia, fencing lessons, Villiers - a wonderful romance is built between the two. And both characters learn to face up to the past, as well as regain hope for the future.

James' work just continues to get better and better, and this whole series is excellent.

This is book 3 in the Desparate Duchesses series and by far the strongest and the best in my opinion. Another reviewer has reviewed it and given a full synopsis, so I won't give a synopsis.

The story, although influenced strongly by Georgette Heyer is well thought out, well executed and witty. Poor Lord Strange thinks that he has changed sides as it were and fallen for a young man.

Jemma the Duchess of Beaumont features in this book, however her husband doesn't. Villiers is in it all the way through although he is still recovering from his life threatening infection after the duel he fought in book 1. The chess match between Villiers, Jemma and her husband has been put on hold for now.

From what Villiers says in this book about wanting a wife, it looks as though he may be the lead in one of the next books in this series,although Harriet warns him about not putting his obssession with chess above his wife as her late husband Benjamin did.