Lady Juliette Matthews had encountered Florian Lowell the previous year when she had been ill and he had successfully treated her. She finds the physician very handsome, were he not so serious all the time, if only he smiled, if he smiled for her. Florian, the heir to the Duke of Redding, must make concessions to his social status, and occasionally makes an effort to attend social events. It is at the first ball of the Season that Juliette and Florian danced a waltz and that they discovered that they had much in common, more than the attraction they both felt. Juliette understands Florian's dedication to his profession; she spent most of her life in the slums of St. Giles, and her new-found wealth allows her to help the poor, and when the occasion presents itself, she finds a way to get closer to Florian. But Florian knows only too well that the circumstances of his birth prevent him for loving Juliette and making her his wife, as he so desperately wishes.

Given how much I had enjoyed the two previous installments of the Diamonds in the Rough, I did not hesitate for one second to pick up THE ILLEGITIMATE DUKE. This novel can easily be read on its own, however, I commend Sophie Barnes for her meticulous care in assuring the continuity of the characters' backstories throughout the series. THE ILLEGITIMATE DUKE has an intricately constructed plot, weaving seemingly minor incidents that had occurred in the previous books into the current danger that threatens Florian, his family, and ultimately Juliette. I fear my review cannot possibly do justice to this phenomenal book, as it is simply grandiose. Ms. Barnes' dedication to historical accuracy, especially regarding the medical aspect of THE ILLEGITIMATE DUKE makes the story even more compelling, as medicine and healthcare are vital components of this extraordinary story. The author's juxtaposition of the upper and lower classes is put to even better use than in the previous books. Ms. Barnes shows us how the characters straddle both worlds; it is so much more than the usual "fish out of water" trope. Florian's secret is not a trifle; it has tortured him for years, and its revelation could do serious damage to a lot of people.

Sophie Barnes' secondary characters are exemplary, and her ability to convey feelings is such that I shed tears over the fate of a minor player. The story is powerful, delicately nuanced, and textured, and so very moving and gripping. Ms. Barnes' prose is in turns ethereal and of startling clarity, the dialogues are impeccable, and I was completely immersed in this magnificent story until the very last page. And the romance! I could not have wished for a more perfect romance; every gesture, every word expressing a moment in time, every sentiment crystal-clear and palpable. I felt how profound Florian and Juliette's love was; it did not depend solely upon their beauteous persons and their obvious attraction; their love is grounded in mutual respect, admiration, and eventually cooperation; both are admirable characters, and so very real. Florian is a splendid hero: noble, dedicated, and honorable until the very end, and Juliette is the sort of heroine I always hope to encounter but seldom do: straightforward, sensible, and as independent as the era permits her to be, and a true realist. I believe Sophie Barnes, in THE ILLEGITIMATE DUKE has written her best book yet, but then again, it could probably be the next Diamonds in the Rough book, which is proving to be one of the best historical series ever.