When Hugh Fitzroy, Duke of Kyle, learns of his estranged wife's accidental death, he returns home from his self imposed exile to find his children in a sad state. His seven year old son resents him for leaving, while his five year old son is having terrible nightmares due to his mother's death. In addition to trying to set his family to rights, Hugh is an agent for the crown, tasked with bringing down a mysterious, secret society of noblemen who operate as the Lords of Chaos. As Hugh returns home one night, he is attacked. While a strong and capable fighter, he stands little chance against a dozen men, and things look bleak until the Ghost of St. Giles appears.

The legendary Ghost of St. Giles is a masked vigilante who patrols at night, protecting those under attack, and fighting criminals. Only this ghost is small and slight, and definitely has a feminine figure. Alf was abandoned by her mother at the age of six and was lucky enough to be taken under the wing of an older street boy who taught her how to survive. He let her know what could happen to a girl / woman living in the slums, and had her dress and live as a boy. Now Alf makes a living by buying and selling information by day, while moonlighting as the Ghost at night. As she and Hugh fight off the band of thugs who attacked him, Alf is somewhat smitten with the handsome man, and she teases him with a kiss before she leaves.

Although Hugh's life is in chaos, he definitely is attracted to the mysterious lady Ghost. His investigation leads him to contacting Alf for information, and circumstances soon dictate that she needs to stay at the duke's home to remain safe. Hugh is neither blind, nor stupid, and soon he realizes Alf is female. Subsequent encounters between the duke and the Ghost become more steamy, and soon they are involved in a passionate affair. How can a relationship between a high ranking noble and a street child with no last name lead to anything but heartbreak?

Alf is an amazing woman, and I adore her. She is strong, talented, brave and fearless. She has no expectations that her first venture into romance will be lasting, but she plunges in, heart first, to grab all the joy and happiness she can, for as long as she can. Hugh is also a stellar character, and I love that his fears about his relationship with Alf were not due to the difference in their stations in life, but to his own doubts about himself. He was once madly in love with his first wife, yet their happy marriage disintegrated, and Hugh doesn't want to make that same mistake.

DUKE OF PLEASURE is a fantastic read on all levels. The mystery part is exciting, the passion is scintillating, and the romance is heartwarming. This latest installment in Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series rocks. (I loved the glimpses into Godric St. John's life - one of my previous favorites from LORD OF DARKNESS.) If you love historical romance with unique characters and storylines, and lots of heat, I wholeheartedly recommend DUKE OF PLEASURE.