Ivy Fenwick has just made her debut, and it's been a success. She has even met a handsome, masked stranger who flirts with her and steals a kiss. Her future is looking very rosy, but in less than a day, the situation changes drastically. Ivy's father is accused of cheating at cards, and is killed in a duel, bringing ruin and disgrace to his family. James Merrit, the kiss stealing stranger, leaves the next day to go off to war, never knowing who Ivy was, or what happened to her.

Five years have passed. In that time, Ivy and her three sisters have been struggling to pay off the remaining debts of their father, while barely holding on to their crumbling family manor in the country. James has returned from war, and has become the Duke of Ellsworth. He is heading to his country home, pondering his future, which includes a new mistress who will soon join him. Much to his surprise, he finds that his brother's two children are in residence. They were deposited with him because his brother is still off fighting, while his sister-in-law abandoned them to indulge in another affair, something she has apparently been doing on a regular basis. James decides his own liaison will have to wait, and he'll need to hire a governess for the children. At the same time, Ivy has faced the fact that she needs to find employment, and applies for the governess job, and is hired.

James had an ulterior motive in hiring Ivy. He recognizes her as the young lady he kissed five years ago, and he also knows that she owns the crumbling manor that he would like to own. What James doesn't count on is falling under Ivy's spell. She moves into his household, bringing some stability to the abandoned children, and some sunshine into James' life. James sees the opportunity for seduction, and tells his almost- mistress not to show up. Of course, she does, and thus begins the romp. Rumors of a treasure in the Fenwick home bring a sleazy poet from London who pretends to court Ivy, while really searching her home.

FORBIDDEN TO LOVE THE DUKE is a light and entertaining story with a cast of quirky and (mostly) likeable characters. Ivy is delightful - I love that she made no false claims of not being good enough because of her family history. Once James realized that he was feeling more than just simple lust, he didn't hesitate to admit his feelings to Ivy. I love that! The mystery of the treasure, the fake suitor, the would-be-mistress, and Ivy's three wonderful sisters made this book an enjoyable and satisfying read. The romance left me smiling, and I recommend this book, and look forward to the upcoming stories in the Fenwick Sisters Affairs series.