Being betrothed to a duke isn't enough, for what if there's no sign that the man is actually keen to wed? That's Lady Julia Chandler's predicament. By now she's twenty-three, and if Edmund decides he's tired of the whole idea, she'll be too old to marry suitably.

THE HEART OF A DUKE is what Julia, who grew up in the neighbouring family, hopes to win. But when she rides over to discuss the matter she mistakes Edmund's younger twin Daniel for the duke. Daniel was absent for ten years in America and he's irresponsible enough to kiss a girl he barely knows. When the truth is told, Julia is horrified. Daniel however is convinced she deserves better than his older brother.

Behind the romantic possibilities lie serious concerns. Daniel fled to Boston because someone set fire to the house, with him inside - he suspects the culprit is still keen to kill him. He has prospered in shipping, and finds England somewhat strait-laced. The tenants tell him that rents were raised and cheaper labour hired for field work. His brother seldom visits, spending his time and money in London and letting an overseer manage the estate, poorly. Daniel wants to mend many circumstances - including that of Julia's prolonged engagement - but he has no rights, being the younger. Julia is prompt to turn her hand to nursing or house cleaning for an ill tenant woman, and has the makings of a good estate manager - when she weds Edmund.

There's a lot of pleasant description of country life in Somerset, with cider making and a fair day, giving us an agreeable change from sooty, uppish London. War veterans need work and are easily hired.

However more research on England needs to be done, as hunting, especially while wearing red jackets, is a winter pursuit and the author has it occurring during a hot summer; she twice describes a 'nine hundred stone stallion' which would be the size of a house - for stones read pounds, and such a horse would be a carthorse rather than a hunter. Class distinctions also produced different vocabulary - a lord's little boy in Somerset would not say 'cor blimey'; this is a Cockney remark, while no upper crust lady would accuse hounds of barking - hounds 'speak'.

The adventure and romance in THE HEART OF A DUKE are enjoyable and interesting, with focus on character building, so I suggest readers of Victoria Morgan concentrate on her strengths.