The Very Daring Duchess (Sonnet Books) [Mass Market Paperback]

Francesca Robin makes a living running her art gallery, she adds works of art by famous artists by reproducing their paintings. She also displays her father's scandalous paintings to visitors from around the world. She is a talented artist in her own right but her work doesn't make enough income to maintain her small home. Being the daughter of an English artist and his Italian model makes her neither truly English nor Italian in the eyes of either country. When the English navy is about to pull out of Naples as the French march in Francesca fears for her life. She begs the English Admiral Nelson to allow her to travel on one of his ships, but because she is Neapolitan he refuses until one of his captain steps forward to offer to marry her.

Captain Lord Edward is the fourth son of the Duke of Harborough. At ten years of age his father gaves him over to His Majesty's Navy. After years of hard work and loneliness, he has risen to the rank of captain to sail his own warship the Centaur. A battle at sea has forced Edward to dock his ship at Naples for much needed repairs. One of his men talks him into a visit to Signora Francesca's gallery to see her deceased father's lewd bordello paintings. He is both intrigued and disgusted by Francesca. She is extraordinarily beautiful and he is draw to her but he knows she preys upon the sailors and other visitors by selling them counterfeit art.

When it is time to leave Naples Edward finds he can't leave Francesca in the hands of the French so he proposes a marriage of convenience. Both Edward and Francesca must learn to live with each other when for most of their lives they have been alone. As members of the ton and the other naval officers disapprove of Edward's hasty marriage to a foreigner and Francesca learns she has made a blackmailing enemy, they must stand together or lose their new found love.

Miranda Jarrett takes readers on an exciting sea voyage in THE VERY DARING DUCHESS. The story is fast paced as she moves readers from one sea port to the next.
I was charmed by Edward and Francesca as they become friends before lovers during their heady sea adventure.

Debbie Gilbert
Reviewer for Romance Reviews Today

When Napoleon threatens Naples, the English fleet decides to evacuate the area. A half-English person like Francesca is in jeopardy if she remains behind when the French arrive. She knows she must leave Naples immediately, but Admiral Nelson refuses to take her with the Navy, ignoring even Lady Hamilton's plea. Edward volunteers to marry her so she can accompany him. Desperate, she accepts and once married they seem happy together until the Admiralty summons Edward back to London. There he learns that he now is a Duke and no longer part of the Navy because his aristocratic rank requires him kept safe. A frightened Francesca runs away feeling inadequate to be the wife on a noble, leaving it to Edward to prove he loves her and needs her by his side.

Miranda Jarrett is known for her historical romances especially those set in the Colonial, Georgian, and Regency periods. Her latest tale THE VERY DARING DUCHESS centers on a typical Regency theme starring two likable lead characters. However, the descriptions of Naples right before Napoleon provides a rare freshness and depth that turns this into a strong Regency romance that any fan of a historical tale will fully cherish.

Harriet Klausner