The Duke in Disguise

by Gayle Callen

Book Overview

Who is this man?The Duke of Thanet may have hired Meriel Shelby as a governess to his six-year-old son, but there is something...different about the man standing before her today. He seems to study... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060784121
• ISBN13: 9780060784126
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.8" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Fun installment by Callen

While many of the reviewers have mentioned this is a well known and used plot line I think Callen adds another wonderful book to the genre. She makes her herorines spunky and not pushovers as many do, and she doesn't let the men get away with too much. I think if you like historical romances give this a try as well as her other books. Meriel is in sudden need of a job to help support her mother and sisters. As the daughter of a once well to do banker, who died leaving them ruined, a governess is the job she is most suited for. She is interviewed by the Duke of Thanet and hired. While she had been initially curious about the Duke she is now down right intrigues there is definitely something different about him. Even his son comments that he is around more than he normal, and more interested in what he is doing. Richad O'Neill is the "bastard" older half brother to the Duke of Thanet. When the Duke's life appears to be in jeopardy he agrees to masquerade as him to help find out who is bound and determined to kill not only the Duke but his young heir. Looking enough like the duke this should be easy to pull off. But, he had not figured on the attraction he found to the new governess. It is making it hard for Richard to act the rogue, and flamboyant man when he wants to act as the levelheaded thoughtful person he really is. When the young heir figures out that Richard isn't really his father, as he takes him fishing which his "real dad" would never do he is sworn to secrecy. But, as young children do he eventually lets it slip to Meriel. It is partially reliefs to Meriel as she can't believe she is so drawn to the notorious rouge and has let him not only kiss her but more. On the other had Meriel is furious that she has been tricked. That is until she finds out her young charge is in danger at which point she joins in and works to keep him safe.

Not Bad...

This was my first experience with this author. I found this to be an enjoyable read. I would definitely read this author again. If you enjoy Alexander, Laurens, Lindsey, and Woodiwiss you will enjoy this book.

2nd book in the Sisters of Willow Pond" trilogy

The Duke in Disguise by Gayle Callen is a great historical romantic mystery novel. This novel starts in the middle of the The Lord Next Door storyline. Meriel goes to work as governess for the Duke's son. The Duke comes to his country home to relax after his `illness' - but something is different about the Duke and Meriel finds herself liking the rake. The Lord Next Door (1), The Duke in Disguise (2) The Viscount In Her Bedroom, (coming out July 2007). If you enjoy this genre I would also check out The Lady Lies The Lady Killer and The Lady's Code by Samantha Saxon

An enjoyable and believable romance

Although it's true that there's not much suspense here, I don't require suspense in my romances. The interaction and growing attraction between our hero and heroine were what kept me reading. Yes, the hero is brave, noble, handsome, etc., but he was NOT bland - he was exactly the way I want most heroes to be. The heroine was independent-minded without being bossy; neither a doormat nor a rabble-rouser, which made her both admirable and believable. Definitely deserves 4 stars.

fabulous early Victorian romance

In 1844, the Duke of Thanet hires Meriel Shelby as a governess to his six-year-old son, Stephen especially while he is away recuperating from an illness. When the Duke returns home after being away for quite some time, Meriel is confused by her reaction to him as she thinks he is a hunk, but knows he is a womanizer so she plans to ignore her attraction to him. She also believes the Duke is behaving differently as he spends quality time with his offspring, something he seemed loathed to do before yet enjoys now especially when Stephen is with Meriel. Thus the Duke devastates her plan to avoid him. As she falls in love, Richard O'Neill ironically thinks back to the vow he made to his dying brother Cecil, the real Duke, to not reveal their masquerade pretense in order to keep Stephen safe from cousin Charles; finally in love he has to hide his true identity from his beloved. THE DUKE IN DISGUISE, the second Sisters of Willow Pond novel, is a fabulous early Victorian romance starring two likable protagonists and a precocious (perhaps too much so) preadolescent. The story line centers on the attraction between the governess and the phony duke as she struggles with the enigma of the whys of now in love with him and his so different behavior while he internally wars with his desire to reveal to her the truth in spite of his pledge. Sub-genre readers will enjoy this fine historical and seek out the previous winner, THE LORD NEXT DOOR (the tale of Meriel's sister). Harriet Klausner