In this erotic period romance novel Kate Darrell is a young widow, and well off, but she's never been to London. Rusticating in the country isn't for her so she arrives at the door of a stranger, the Duke of Darkwell, who is rumoured to welcome a variety of young ladies. ONCE UPON A DUKE takes the intriguing situation of a woman who doesn't overly need to fear scandal, for she's already passed through the marriage market, and has her own resources.

Ryder Blake lives in dissipation but he's no slouch, training at sports like fencing and boxing. Whether the title Duke of Debauchery is fair is another matter. He knew love once but never intends to experience that despair again, so he contents himself with giving pleasure to his female companions. Taking for granted that the unknown young woman is unwed, he doesn't send her away, but nor does he want to spoil her chance of a real relationship.

Kate is staying with her cousin Imogen Cavendish, and has no secrets from this lively Society lady, except perhaps the depth of her sudden attraction to the infamous Duke. Having been kept as a token wife by a much older man she has known little intimacy and less love. Small wonder that the first handsome man to awaken her body to delight should make such an impression. Once Kate is launched upon the Ton however, she's instantly popular with her good looks, marriageability and her hundred thousand pounds a year. If Blake wants to see more of her he's going to have to work for it...

The vivacious happenings quickly produce the scandal of the season. As the erotic encounters of the day suggest, adults with money could make their own conventions, provided they were sufficiently discreet. Kate and the Duke can't break too many rules and get away with it. There's amusement and melancholia at the root of this tale, making ONCE UPON A DUKE a study in contrasting emotions. Eva Devon has produced an entertaining character study and erotic romance, tied about with corsets, skirts and satin slippers. This should please ladies who look for Regency romance tales which go that bit further.