HER NIGHT WITH THE DUKE - Diana Quincy
A Clandestine Affairs Book
Avon Books
ISBN: 978-0-06-298679-5 (Print edition)
ISBN: 978-0-06-298680-1 (Digital edition)
October 2020
Historical Fiction

England - 1814

Sheltering during a storm at The Black Swan Inn, Elliot Townsend, the Duke of Huntington, a man known for being careful, is shocked to find himself staring at a woman demanding a room from the innkeeper. She and her servant, who is clearly not English, are in the same predicament that Elliot is in, but the innkeeper isn't impressed until the woman produces a hefty money pouch. Elliot watches the change in the innkeeper's demeanor, as well as those in the crowded barroom. But the comments from strangers offering rooms they would share with her, show a different atmosphere altogether. As Elliot rises, hand on his gun, to assist the woman, she spins around and produces a rather impressive curved dagger. Elliot offers to share the parlor with her, as a friend, and she surprisingly accepts. 

Delilah (Leela) Chambers is no ordinary Englishwoman. She's the daughter of the late Marquess of Brandon, and her mother was the daughter of Arab merchants in Manchester. Also, in her own right, she is the widow of the Earl of Devon. She and her Arab servant were on their way to her stepdaughter's potential betrothal when they were waylaid by the storm. The girl's older brother, Edgar, despises Leela, and the feeling is mutual. Now, here she is with a strange man that she is terribly attracted to, and Leela isn't embarrassed to admit it to him. They spend a passionate night, but he is gone in the morning before she awakens.

Upon arrival at Lambert Hall, Leela must prepare for the festivities, although she knows her late husband's son has not included her in anything pertaining to the gathering. Leela is close to her stepdaughter, at any rate, and wouldn't miss this important part of her life for anything. But then she discovers who it is Edgar has hopes to wed Victoria to -- the very man Leela spent the night with. Their meeting becomes very awkward.

Leela has something else she cannot reveal to anyone. All the  ton  has been raving about a travel book,  Travels in Arabia , and no one knows that Leela is the author. Women of a certain class just do not write books! But now, her publisher, who assumes she is a man, has accepted the second book, and she is ready to deliver her third in the series shortly. Everything is very complicated now with Victoria's soon-to-be announced betrothal, and the fact that her own stepmother bedded her future husband. She is still very much attracted to him, and it's becoming more and more obvious that the feeling is mutual.

A complicated, poignant, and emotional story ensues. Leela's marriage was happy, but not fulfilling. She always knew how much Edgar hated her, and her mixed heritage confused both her and others. Elliot, always trying to overcome his late brother's awful reputation, finds himself in love with the wrong woman. Or is she truly not for him? He abhors the thought of a scandal, but his heart is steering him straight into trouble.

The first book in the The Clandestine Affairs series , HER NIGHT WITH THE DUKE is a unique premise with wonderful characters. 

Jani Brooks