Miss Jane Downing hates to be invisible; whenever she must go to Society events, no one ever sees her; everyone forgets ever meeting her. She has resigned herself to remain a spinster, but she'd like to experience love and passion, if only for one night. Captain Xavier Grey came back from the war a broken man; he is a hero everybody recognises and holds in high regard, but he'd rather they didn't notice him. Jane has admired Xavier from afar for a long time; in fact he is the man she has set her sights on for an affair. Jane, who lives with her brother Isaac, hears that Xavier will be leaving for his cottage in Chelsmsford, and as her brother will be gone on business for some time, she packs a few things and Isaac's cat Egui, and heads out for Essex to corner Xavier and proposition him where he can't possibly refuse her, can he?

THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS is yet another jewel in Erica Ridley's crown. THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS is extremely well-written, fast-paced, sophisticated and insightful. The narrative is built upon the familiar trope of two people stuck in a snowstorm in closed quarters; however Ms. Ridley adds delightful and clever twists to the premise. Jane and Xavier are extraordinarily complex characters: she's a bookworm, an independent thinker with a sharp tongue and a quick wit. Xavier is brooding, stoic, unsmiling; he has still not fully recovered from his trying stint in the war nor does he care to share his experiences with anyone.

As light as the story might appear at the beginning, it takes a serious and introspective turn with what had begun as an innocent parlour game to pass the time. Jane's desperate attempts at seduction seem destined to fail, and Xavier's efforts to keep things light turn into an unexpected heart-to-heart discussion where Jane and Xavier reveal some of their best-kept secrets. As both characters start to reveal their innermost selves, Jane realises that she might have made the wrong choices and that nothing is set in stone, while Xavier doesn't seem to want to alter his way of thinking. That part of THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS is exceptionally gripping, touching, and captivating.

THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS is a quick read mostly because of the dialogues between Xavier and Jane, which constitute the undisputed highlights of the book. Lest anyone thinks THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS is dark and foreboding, it is not the case at all: as light and amusing moments abound, especially when Egui, the feline from Hades is concerned. I found amazing that Ms. Ridley can create such diverse characters, as Xavier and Jane do not resemble in any way the ones from the previous instalments; and such wonderful characters they are!

THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS is the third instalment in the brilliant Dukes of War series but prior knowledge of the other books is not necessary. Need I mention that I consider THE CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS an absolute must-read.