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.
Everything is going swimmingly for Kathryn Darrell. She's
got an annuity of a hundred thousand a year, her
lecherous-heart breaking husband has had the good graces
to pop off, and best of all, she has her freedom--
Something she has every intention of reveling in to the
fullest. And who better to revel with than Ryder Blake,
the infamous Duke of Darkwell?
A Duke's Desire:
Ryder Blake, Duke of Darkwell, known as the Duke of
Debauchery, is certain he will never love again. His heart
lies buried with his wife and he has vowed to never give
more than his body to a woman. But when Kathryn shows up
on his doorstep, quite literally, demanding he show her
the ways of London, he finds that his heart longs to love
once again.
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